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ILibrariei 


Pawp'hlet  Collectlofl 
Library 


DEDICATION 


OF  THE 


NEW  CABINET  AND  OBSERVATORY^ 


OF 


AMHERST  COLLEGE, 


Pamphlet  C'OflectloTft 
Duke  Uhiveisit^i  Ubia£]> 


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Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


I 


https://archive.org/details/addressesatdedic1848amhe 


ADDRESSES 


AT 


THE  DEDICATION 


OF  THE 

]NEW  CABINET  AND  OBSERVATORY 


OF  AMHERST  COLLEGE,. 


JUNE  28,  1848. 


BY 


HON.  WILLIAAI  B.  CALHOUN  AND  OTHERS. 


AMHERST: 

J.  S.  & C.  ADAMS,  PRINTERS, 

HDCCCXLVIII. 


The  New  Cabinet  and  Obseiwatoiy  of  Amherst  College  having  been  erected 
by  the  donations  of  more  than  forty  individuals,  and  the  Institution  having  been 
liberally  aided  by  others  of  late,  these  Benefactors  and  others  were  invited  by  the 
Trustees  and  Faculty  to  meet  on  the  28th  of  June,  to  examine  the  edifice  and 
the  collections  in  Natural  History  which  the  College  contains,  and  to  unite  in 
public  thanksgiving  to  God.  After  an  introductory  Welcome  by  the  President  of 
the  Institution,  the  principal’Address  was  delivered  by  Hox.  William  B.  Cal- 
houn : And  at  the  public  dinner,  several  other  addresses  were  made  by  distin- 
guished gentlemen  who  were  present.  The  whole  is  here  presented  in  the  belief 
that  it  will  gratify  those  friends  of  the  College  who  were  not  present  to  mingle 
in  the  scenes  of  that  delightful  occasion. 


WELCOME  BY  THE  PllESIDENT. 


Friends  and  Benefactors  of  Amherst  College,  and  of  Science  and  Religion  : 

It  is  my  delightful  privilege  to-day,  in  the  name  of  the  Trustees 
and  Faculty  of  this  Institution  and  of  the  citizens  of  this  village,  to 
welcome  you  to  this  place.  We  have  indeed  no  baronial  castles,  nor 
magnificent  palaces,  to  bid  you  look  upon,  nor  city  luxuries  to  tempt 
your  appetites.  But  we  can  show  jou  nature  all  around  us,  in  her 
freshness  and  grandeur.  These  broad  plains,  which  bound  the  Con- 
necticut,— these  rich  clusters  of  the  primeval  forests,  and  this  noble 
amphitheatre  of  mountains  around  us,  reposing  majestically  against 
the  summer  sky,  all  send  back  the  echoing  voice  of  welcome-  TlTese 
college  edifices  too,  reminding  us  of  the  generous  spirits  and  liberal 
hands  that  erected  them,  now  for  the  most  past  gone  to  their  reward, — 
and  also  of  the  many  noble  hearted  youth  who  have  been  educated 
here,  these  edifices  put  on  to-day  an  unmounted  dress  * to  honor  your 
presence.  And  the  young  men  now  connected  with  the  Institution 
whom  your  liberality  has  of  late  provided  with  increased  facilities  for 
an  education,  and  whom  we  are  proud  to  introduce  to  you,  hail 
your  coming.  But  it  is  mainly  to  show  you  some  o’!"  the  fruits  of  your 
beneficence  in  the  new  Cabinet  and  Observatory  and  their  contents, 
that  we  have  invited  you  hither.  Allow  me  briefly  to  recapitulate 
what  God  through  your  instrumentality,  has  done  for  us  within  the  last 
two  j'ears. 

First  in  the  order  of  time,  though  not  perhaps  in  the  order  of  an- 
nouncement, came  the  munificent  endoAvment  of  twm  and  a half  Pro- 
fessorships of  $21,000  each,  by  Hon.  Samuel  Williston,  though  one 
of  them  dates  a little  farther  back  than  two  years.  The  other  half  of 
the  third  Professorship,  was  promptly  supplied  by  Samuel  A.  Hitch- 
cock Esq. 


^Recently  fitted  up  ivith  window  blinds. 


4 


Through  the  judicious  and  persevering  efforts  of  the  friends  of  the 
College  in  the  State  Legislature,  and  eminently  of  its  graduates,  who 
were  members,  the  sum  of  S25,000,  in  five  annual  installments,  was 
granted.  And  with  this  we  have  been  enabled  to  cancel  our  debts, 
make  our  buildings  more  comfortable,  reduce  the  expenses  of  tuition, 
and  provide  a handsome  endowment  for  a Massachusetts  Professor- 
ship, which  shall  forever  bear  testimony  to  our  gratitude. 

The  next  movement  that  resulted  in  rich  blessings  to  the  Institu- 
tion, was  an  attempt  to  erect  a new  Cabinet  of  Natural  History,  in 
connection  with  an  Astronomical  Observatory.  Through  the  generous 
efforts  of  Hon.  Josiah  B.  Woods,  and  the  liberality  of  more  than  forty 
gentlemen  in  the  Commonwealth,  this  object  has  been  accomplished, 
and  the  edifice  which  meets  your  eyes  to-day  on  an  adjoining  emi- 
nence, and  whose  proportions  and  construction  I think  you  will  say 
do  honor  to  the  architect  and  to  all  concerned  in  its  erection,  has 
been  the  result,  at  an  expenditure  of  about  nine  thousand  dollars. 

As  a consequence  of  the  erection  of  this  Cabinet,  a deposit  has  been 
made  in  it  of  the  rich  and  beautiful  collections  of  Professor  Shepard, 
which  are  now  displayed  for  examination.  They  consist  of  an  almost 
unequalled  collection  of  meteoric  stones,  by  which  the  mineralogy  and 
geology  of  other  worlds  are  brought  under  our  eyes  : also  of  a very 
select  and  complete  collection  of  simple  minerals : an  extensive  series 
of  geological  specimens  : and  large  groups  of  the  different  classes  of 
animals.  The  lower  room  of  the  same  building  has  in  it,  arranged 
and  ticketed,  not  less  than  twelve  collections  in  geology,  amounting  to 
more  than  11,000  specimens. 

Nor  is  this  alt.  For  during  the  last  year  Professor  Adams  has 
made  a donation  to  the  college,  not  only  of  a suite  of  some  2000  spec- 
imens of  the  rocks  and  minerals  of  Vermont,  and  numerous  speci- 
mens of  preserved  animals,  and  thousands  of  insects,  but  also  his  su- 
perb collection  of  shells,  containing  nearly  5000  species,  and  almost 
countless  varieties  ; — forming  one  of  the  richest  conchological  collec- 
tions in  the  United  States.  These  are  now'  arranged  with  great  neat- 
ness in  the  old  College  Cabinet,  so  far  as  that  could  contain  them. 
The  remainder  have  been  placed  upon  the  floor  of  the  Library,  until 
the  time,  which  I hope  may  not  be  far  distant, — when  the  library 
shall  gain  strength  and  numbers  sufficient  to  drive  the  beautiful  intru- 
ders from  its  premises. 

Thus,  Gentlemen,  as  our  means  of  exhibiting  specimens  have  in- 
creased, through  your  benefactions,  have  they  flowed  in  upon  us  in 


5 


wonderful  profusion  ; so  that  we  are  really  nearly  as  much  straitened 
for  room  for  future  additions,  as  before  we  appealed  to  your  liberali- 
ty. When  you  have  examined  these  collections,  I think  you  will 
agree  with  me  in  the  opinion,  that  the  specimens  belonging  to,  or  de- 
posited in,  the  cabinet,  are  nearly  ten  times  as  valuable  as  they  were 
three  years  ago. 

I shall  not  be  able  to  give  as  flattering  a view  of  the  Observatory. 
The  transit  room  is  indeed  furnished  with  as  fine  a Transit  Instrument, 
Repeating  Circle,  and  Astronomical  Clock,  as  we  could  desire.  But 
we  have  no  Telescope  with  which  to  grace  the  pedestal  of  the  tower. 
We  should  be  very  faithless  and  ungrateful,  however,  to  doubt,  that 
the  same  Providence,  which  has  done  so  much  for  us  the  past  year, 
will  send  us  a fitting  telescope,  if  it  be  best  for  us  to  have  one  ; and 
send  it  too,  just  at  the  right  time. 

One  other  donation  during  the  past  year  should  not  be  forgotten. 
It  consists  of  real  estate  in  the  city  of  Boston,  estimated  by  the  donor, 
the  Hon.  Daniel  Sears,  to  be  of  the  value  of  $12,000.  This  with 
$10,000  formerly  bestowed  is  to  constitute  the  “ Sears  Foundation  of 
Literature  and  Benevolencei”  And  although  for  the  present  it  does 
not  yield  a large  income,  yet  such  are  the  terms  on  which  it  is  bestow- 
ed, that  it  must  ultimately  become  of  immense  value  to  the  College : 
And  even  now,  for  several  years  past,  with  the  addition  of  $1000 
furnished  by  John  Tappan  Esq.  for  the  same  purpose,  it  has  enabled 
us  to  purchase  books  enough  to  prevent  our  losing  sight  of  the  vari- 
ous branches  of  science,  as  they  rapidly  expand  by  new  discoveries. 

Now  to  gentlemen  who  are  familiar  with  large  sums  of  money, 
splendid  public  buildings,  and  vast  collections  in  natural  history,  the 
additions  to  our  means  that  have  been  enumerated,  may  not  seem  of 
so  great  importance  as  they  do  to  us.  We  do  not  boast  of  them,  in- 
deed ; that  would  be  infatuation.  But  gratitude, — deep  sincere  grat- 
itude, becomes  us  ; and  we  know  that  we  feel  it : Gratitude  first  of  all 
and  above  all,  to  God.  For  we  honestly  believe,  that  it  was  He 
who  put  it  into  your  hearts  to  come  to  our  help.  Never,  it  seems  to 
us,  was  his  special  Providence  more  manifest  than  in  this  whole  busi- 
ness, from  its  inception  to  the  present  hour.  If  ever  I had  doubted 
God’s  special  agency  in  influencing  the  hearts  of  men  to  deeds  of  be- 
nevolence, the  experience  of  the  last  two  years  would  have  removed 
all  my  skepticism.  Permit  us  then  from  a full  heart,  to  praise  God 
for  our  increased  means  of  honoring  Him  by  promoting  the  cause  of 
education. 


6 


But  think  not  because  we  render  our  first  tribute  of  thanks  to  God, 
that  we  are  less  grateful  to  you.  We  honor  you  as  the  faithful  al- 
moners of  our  Father  in  heaven : And  what  higher  praise  can  we 
bestow?  We  cannot  forget  the  circumstances  under  which  you 
came  to  our  help.  A great  work  had  been  committed  to  us,  but  we 
had  not  the  means  of  successfully  accomplishing  it.  Promising 
young  men  were  here,  but  we  could  not  give  them  all  the  facilities 
which  a public  education  demands  in  the  nineteenth  century.  We 
were  crippled  for  the  want  of  pecuniary  means  ; and  that  was  a suf- 
ficient reason  for  the  Priest  and  the  Levite  to  pass  by  on  tbe  other 
side.  But  you  came  to  our  rescue,  because  we  were  wounded.  And 
if  help  in  such  circumstances  does  not  awaken  gratitude,  those  who  are 
aided,  deserve  to  perish.  We  well  remember  the  long  years  of  dis- 
couragement and  toil  through  which  we  passed.  My  predecessor  in 
office,  whom  I had  hoped  to  see  present  to-day,  and  the  Trustees  of 
the  Institution,  who  have  long  been  associated  with  him  in  its  over- 
sight, could  tell  us  many  a sad  tale  on  this  subject.  I could  wish, 
also,  that  another  were  here,  who  for  many  years  sustained  a bitter 
conflict  between  hope  deferred,  and  the  shattered  nerves  of  a diseased 
constitution ; and  who  sunk  at  last,  in  a distant  land,  before  the  ne.ws 
reached  him  that  liberal  hearts  had  come  to  tlie  relief  of  the  beloved 
institution  to  which  he  had  devoted  the  vigor  and  ripeness  of  his  days. 
But  he  had  a ^presentiment  of  the  result.  For  only  a few  days  be- 
fore his  departure,  he  said  to  me  with  almost  prophetic  accuracy, 
“ Amherst  College  will  be  relieved  ; Mr.  Williston,  I think  will  give 
it  $50.000 ; and  you  will  put  his  name  upon  it.”  If  human  w ishes 
could  be  gratified,  that  beloved  friend  would  have  been  here  to-day, 
to  be  cheered  by  the  fulfilment  of  his  prediction.  But  he  knows  it 
all,  I doubt  not:  nor  can  I believe  him  indifferent  to  our  interests, 
though  now'  engaged  in  far  higher  enterprises. 

Think  not  then.  Gentlemen,  that  you  are  invited  hither  to-day, 
through  mere  form,  for  the  sake  of  a mere  pageant-  If  any  of  you 
know  wiiat  it  is  to  labor  year  after  year,  in  a cause  which  you  feel  to 
be  a good  and  important  one,  but  which  is  in  a depressed  condition, 
and  therefore  meets  not  wuth  popular  favor ; if  you  know  the  heart 
sinking,  the  mortification,  the  struggle  between  duty  and  inclination, 
and  the  alternation  of  hope  and  despondency  of  such  a state,  then, 
you  can  realize  our  feelings  for  many  a long  year.  And  if  you  have 
seen  that  depressed  cause  suddenly  assume,  a difterent  aspect,  and 
have  felt  your  lungs  breathe  more  freely,  and  your  heax’t  beat  more 


7 


lightly,  through  the  liberal  aid  of  some  large-souled  benefactor,  then 
you  can  appreciate  our  feelings  to-day.  And  you  can  realize  how  it 
is,  that  we  have  wanted  an  opportunity  publicly  to  testity  our  grati- 
tude, and  show  you  the  effects  of  your  benefactions. 

But  highly  as  we  appreciate  the  liberal  aid  of  our  fiuends,  let  it 
not  be  thought  that  we  imagine  all  the  wants  of  the  Institution  to  be 
supplied,  and  that  its  instructors  may  henceforth  repose  on  beds  of 
down,  and  consider  hard  labor  and  strict  economy  no  longer  necessa- 
ry. We  have  invited  you  to  look  around  upon  this  eminence  to  see 
the  fruits  of  your  donations.  But  while  we  hope  you  will  discover 
some  things  as  they  ought  to  be,  it  would  be  strange  if  those  who 
know  what  a college  in  the  nineteenth  century  and  in  New  England 
needs,  should  not  see  many  things  which  require  other  benefactors  as 
liberal  as  yourselves  to  bring  them  into  a proper  condition.  If  you 
had  taken  from  us  the  necessity  of  hard  work  and  rigid  economy,  we 
should  regard  it  as  a curse  instead  of  a blessing.  But  you  have  only  put 
more  tools  into  our  hands,  to  stimulate  us  to  work  the  harder,  because 
we  can  now  work  more  advantageously.  You  have  loosened  the 
cord  that  was  almost  choking  us,  and  taken  off  the  the  incubus  that 
was  crushing  us.  And  now  we  can  labor  vigorously  and  cheerfully, 
because  we  labor  in  hope.  As  to  the  cause  to  which  we  have  devo- 
ted ourselves,  we  have  never  had  any  misgivings.  It  was  marked 
out  for  us  by  those  honest-hearted  and  noble-minded  men,  who  laid 
the  foundation  of  the  Institution,  and  carried  it  forward  under  so 
many  difficulties.  To  provide  the  means  of  an  elevated  and  thor- 
ough literary  and  scientific  education,  for  those  who  come  hither,  was 
not  the  chief  end  they  had  in  view  ; though  that  was  an  end  essential 
to  an  ulterior  object.  To  promote  the  cause  of  science  and  literature 
was  also  a subordinate,  though  important  end.  But  to  make  all  sci- 
ence and  all  literature  subservient  to  the  still  higher  cause  of  pure  re- 
ligion was  their  aim,  and  their  prayer.  Such  too,  I doubt  not,  has 
been  the  intentioti  of  our  more  recent  benefactors.  Indeed  one  of 
them,*  in  offering  his  rich  collections  in  conchology  and  entomology 
to  the  Trustees,  says  : “ This  gift  is  made  with  a view  to  contrib- 
ute, in  some  small  degree,  to  the  exhibition  of  the  glorious  plan  of 
creation,  especially  of  the  creation  of  organic  beings,  as  this  exists  in 
the  Divine  Mind.” 

Wlien,  therefore,  we  dedicate,  as  we  now  do,  these  new  Professor- 
ships, this  new  Cabinet  and  Observatory,  and  these  new  Collections 


♦Professor  Adams. 


8 


in  Natural  History,  to  an  object  so  transcendent,  we  know  that  the 
cordial  Amen  is  uttered  by  your  hearts,  if  not  by  your  lips.  And  I 
would  look  upon  it  as  an  omen  of  the  acceptance  of  this  consecration, 
and  a pledge  of  the  permanent  devotion  of  our  new  edifice,  to  such  an 
object,  that  it  occupies  the  site  of  an  ancient  church,  where  from 
generation  to  generation  the  inhabitants  of  Amherst  have  worshipped 
God.  Palsied  be  the  sacrilegious  hands  that  shall  ever  desecrate 
such  collections  on  such  a spot,  to  any  inferior  object. 


MR.  CALHOUT\^’S  ADDRESS. 


In  the  name  of  the  Trustees  of  Amherst  College,  and  by  their  ap- 
pointment, I have  been  deputed  to  present  their  thanks  and  to  express 
their  gratitude  to  the  numerous  patrons  and  benefactors  of  this  Insti- 
tution, for  the  means,  furnished  by  them,  of  raising  it  from  decline  and 
depression  to  its  appropriate  rank,  and  to  the  paths  of  prosperity,  use- 
fulness and  honor.  The  duty,  which  thus  calls  us  together,  is  one  em- 
inently pleasing  and  grateful.  We  cherish  the  hope,  that  this  may 
be  regarded  as  an  act,  not  of  pretending  and  spasmodic  gladsomeness, 
nor  of  casual  and  merely  exhilarating  excitement,  but  as  the  dictate 
of  the  clearest  obligation. 

This  College  holds  an  important  position  in  the  land.  Established 
as  it  is,  in  the  heart  of  that  great  valley,  to  which  the  public  eye  has 
been  singularly  directed  from  the  commencement  of  our  records,  we 
may  look  upon  it  as  certain  that  the  importance  of  this  position  will 
be  even  more  than  proportionally  increased,  as  generation  after  gene- 
ration shall  advance  to  replenish  this  beautiful  domain,  to  give  vigor 
and  influence  to  the  tone  of  public  thinking,  and  to  modify  and  shape 
all  those  elements,  which  make  up  the  character  of  a people. 

How  is  this  great  purpose  to  be  accomplished,  but  by  the  combined 
power  of  education  and  Christianity  ? These  have  made  us  all  that 
we  are : the  results  are  before  us.  Experience,  the  best  of  masters, 
has  taught  us  the  extraordinary  adaptedness  of  these  means  to  the 
great  end.  Amongst  the  modes  of  applying  these  means,  no  one  is 
more  prominent,  than  institutions  of  learning  like  the  one  whose  re- 
vival and  progress  we  rejoice  in  to-day.  It  is  then  a matter  of  pro- 
fbundest  moment,  whether  this  College  shall  flourish,  and  aid  in  car- 
rying out  the  glorious  designs  of  the  fathers,  who  planted  free  prin- 
ciples upon  these  western  shores,  or  whether  it  shall  linger  in  bare 
existence,  or  perish  from  self-exhaustion. 

By  the  generous  interposition  of  the  Commonwealth,  and  by  the 

2 


10 


yet  more  generous  and  energetic  eiforts  of  those  private  individuals 
who  have  come  munificently  to  the  help  of  this  languishing  Institu- 
tion, in  the  time  of  its  utmost  need,  Amherst  College  stands  before 
the  community  reassured ; reinvested  with  ample  endowments  for 
blessing  the  community  ; and  we  fully  believe,  fortified  in  their  hearts, 
affections,  and  prayers.  The  noble-spirited  donors,  to  whom  I have 
referred,  do  not  need  that  their  names  should  be  distinctly  herald- 
ed on  this  occasion.  No  public  blazonry  here  can  add  to  the  renown 
which  arises  from  the  consciousness  of  being  instrumental  in  the 
hands  of  an  over-ruling  Providence,  in  advancing  the  cause  of  relig- 
ion and  knowledge  among  men.  They  need  no  letters  of  commenda- 
tion from  us.  Theirs  be  that  ancient  compliment,  of  unequalled  force, 
beauty,  and  delicacy,  and  with  vehement  feeling  be  it  applied,  “ Ye, 
are  our  epistles,  written  in  our  hearts,  known  and  read  of  all  men.” 
But  there  is  a thank-offering,  which  we  cannot  fail  to  make  here, 
now,  and  at  all  times,  and  in  the  most  distinct  and  emphatic  manner, 
to  that  Divine  Being,  whose  Providence  is  over  all,  and  in  whom,  un- 
der all  circumstances,  in  the  darkest  periods  of  the  College,  its  guar- 
dians have  reposed  unfaltering  trust.  Be  it  ever  the  eminent  dis- 
tinction of  this  Institution,  that  here  is  its  strong  hold.  If  to  instruct 
the  understanding,  to  purify  the  heart,  to  elevate  the  character,  to 
make  man  wiser  and  better,  and  to  contribute  towards  fitting  him  for 
the  enjoyments  of  a higher  and  holier,  an  immortal  existence,  be  the 
great  and  true  design  of  such  an  Institution,  then  in  whom  can  all 
hopes  center  but  in  Him,  whose  “Avord  is  very  pure, — the  entrance  of 
whose  words  giveth  light ; it  giveth  understanding  to  the  simple.” 
Influenced  by  these  emotions,  and  actuated,  we  trust,  by  generous 
impulses,  and  by  motives  bearing  no  stain  of  selfishness  or  sordidness, 
Ave  have  come  up  hither  to  mingle  our  congratulations  with  the  friends 
of  the  College,  on  the  changed  aspect  of  its  affairs  and  prospects.  And 
why  is  it  that  we  rejoice  that  this  Seminary  has  found  favor  with  the 
intelligent,  affluent,  and  far  sighted,  who  have  been  the  agents  in  dis- 
pelling the  gloom,  that  hung  over  it  for  so  long  a period  ? why  has 
this  day  of  jubilee  been  set  apart  ? It  is  not  merely  that  the  Institu- 
tion is  relieved  from  its  financial  embarrassments,  eased  of  that  bur- 
den of  debt,  which  had  nearly  pressed  it  down  to  the  dust,  and  escaped 
from  an  incessant  drain  of  its  resources,  energies,  and  vitahty.  It  is  not, 
much  as  that  is,  that  a feeling  of  self-respect  is,  if  it  be  not  right  to  say 
restored,  certainly  iuAngorated  and  animated.  It  is  not,  still  more, 
that  the  accomplished  and  faithful  corps  of  instructors  are  permitted 


11 


once  more  to  breathe  the  air  of  freedom,  and  to  break  away  fi-om  a 
jjosition,  which  was  compelling  them,  from  a stern  and  noble  sense  of 
duty,  to  do  an  act  of  unquestioned  injustice  to  themselves.  Much  as 
there  is  in  all  this  to  cause  rejoicing,  yet  this  might  be  consistent  with 
selfish  designs  and  motives  of  personal  ambition.  Why  then  do  we 
rejoice  ? Do  I utter  a sentiment,  which  does  not  find  a response  in 
the  heart  of  every  one  who  hears  me,  when  I say,  that  we  rejoice  be- 
cause we  now  stand  upon  a vantage  ground,  which  enables  us  with 
an  erect  front,  and  with  a humble  trust  in  God,  to  go  forward  in  the 
work  of  doing  good,  with  the  assured  hope,  that  the  fruits  of  that  work 
will  be  seen  in  the  blessings  conferred  upon  the  community,  in  the 
church  and  in  the  state  ? Tins  I nstitution  might,  at  the  lowest  ebb  of  its 
affairs,  have  been  abandoned ; and  all  connected  with  it  might  have 
betaken  themselves  to  other  and  perhaps  wider  fields  of  action  and  of 
enterprise  : the  dimmed  star  might  have  gone  out  in  utter  darkness  ; 
but  who,  of  all  associated  in  its  management,  could  have  looked  back 
upon  that  darkness  with  an  untroubled  conscience  ? Who,  possessing 
the  heart  of  a man,  or  the  soul  of  a Christian,  could  have  incurred,  or 
shared  in,  the  responsibility  of  so  disastrous  a result  ? But  what 
prevented  that  result, — a result  not  inconsistent  Avith  the  highest  char- 
acter of  ordinary  worldliness, — what  prevented  that  result  ? I appeal 
to  the  late  Head  of  the  college, — “ clarum  et  venerabile  nomen I ap- 
peal to  the  present  Head  of  the  College  and  his  worthy  associates : 

I appeal  to  the  Board  of  Trustees,  for  the  truth  of  what  I say,  that 
nothing  prevented  that  result  but  an  unwavering  trust  in  God.  And 
I do  not  hesitate  to  take  this  public  occasion  to  express  my  own  grate- 
ful sense  of  the  privilege  of  being  permitted  to  see, — may  it  be  that 
I have  felt  also, — an<l  noAV  to  bety’  witness  to,  the  beauty,  the  calm- 
ness, and  the  power  of  that  trust. 

Amherst  College  is  then  once  more,  what  it  was  originally  designed 
to  be,  a school  of  all  good  learning,  and  linked  to  all  the  purposes  of 
good  to  a great  and  flourishing  community.  What  a beautiful  illus- 
tration is  here  of  the  true  principles  of  a just  Public  Economy.  The 
industry,  and  skill,  and  sagacity,  which  have  been  faithfully  and  ju- 
diciously applied  to  the  accumulation  of  private  wealth,  now  pour 
back  their  varied  generous  contributions  for  the  improvement,  the  re- 
finement, and  the  adornment  of  that  land,  Avhich  has  been  at  once  the 
scene  and  the  witness  of  these  noble  aims  and. efforts.  Here  indeed 
is  the  whole  science  of  what  is  improperly  called  Political  Economy 
presented  in  all  its  practical  bearings,  and  in  its  fullest  length  and 


12 


breadth.  Individual  fortunes  created  by  well-directed  individual  en- 
ergies ; and  then  distributed  for  individual  and  social  welfare,  and  to 
build  up  the  intellectual,  moral,  and  religious  character  of  the  com- 
munity ! And  see  too,  in  this  important  connection,  how  far  the  prin- 
ciples of  this  noble  science,  when  rightly  viewed,  are  carried  out. 
Are  these  public-spirited  individuals,  who  thus  by  the  power  of  money 
give  vitality  to  a dormant  institution,  alone  illustrating  and  acting  up- 
on these  principles  ? They  are  adding  largely,  it  is  true,  to  the  pub- 
lic wealth  : but  where  and  what  is  the  institution  itself,  which  they 
lift  up  from  the  dust  ? Where  are  the  instructors,  and  what  are  they 
doing,  who  take  charge  of  the  minds  that  are  brought  together  through 
the  impulse  communicated  by  these  material  means  and  products, — 
the  contributions  of  these  donors  ? In  moulding,  deciphering,  and 
drawing  out  the  power  of  these  minds,  are  they  not  adding,  and  to  an 
extent  not  to  be  measured,  to  the  wealth,  the  intellectual  not  less  than 
the  material  resourees,  of  the  community  ? The  technical  science,  as 
it  has  been  and  still  is  taught  amongst  us,  makes  the  one  of  these 
classes  the  contributor  to  public  wealth,  and  not  the  other.  Surely, 
surely,  it  is  not  so.  And  it  is  the  highest  distinction,  which  wealth, 
strictly  so  called,  can  gather  around  itself,  that  it  does  give  the  im- 
pulse, of  which  1 speak,  and  which  we  all  this  day  feel.  The  love  of 
money,  by  that  authority  which  is  supreme,  has  been  called  the  root 
of  all  evil : under  the  chastening  and  guiding  influences  of  that  Pow- 
er which  makes  this  declaration,  money  may  be  made  and  is  made  the 
root,  the  impulse  of  all  good.  What  a glory  encircles  material  wealth, 
when  it  moves  the  world  in  the  path  of  advancement  and  improve- 
ment, and  in  all  the  ways  and  arts  of  peace  ! But  what  untold  and  in- 
conceivable horrors  cluster  around  it^  when  used,  as  the  history  of  the 
world  assures  us  it  has  been  used,  to  promote  the  purposes  of  private 
discord  and  public  war  ! I honor  the  men  : I know  no  language 
strong  or  glotving  enough  to  express  the  feelings  with  which  I honor 
the  men,  who  contribute  of  their  wealth  to  bless  their  country  and  to 
bless  the  world.  Be  it,  that  the  world  is  at  last  awakening  universally 
to  the  true  use  of  wealtb,  and  to  the  true  end  in  the  pursuit  of  it. 
Thus  appropriated,  wealth  partakes  of  the  quality,  which  the  great 
poet  attributes  to  mercy,  “ it  blesseth  him  that  gives,  and  him  that 
takes.” 

The  Saviour  of  mankind,  at  that  interesting  moment, — the  most  in 
terestli  g in  the  whole  current  of  time, — when  he  ascended  from  earth 
to  Heaven,  uttered  his  tnal  farewell  message  to  the  world,  that  sol- 


13 


emn  injunction,  “ Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  go?pel  to 
every  creature.”  Where  is  the  mind  that  has  ever  yet  taken  in  the 
full  import  of  this  startling  message.  What  mind  can  go  to  the  extent 
of  its  requirements,  or  can  contemplate  the  means  necessary  to  its  ac- 
complishment. It  carries  us  back  to  man  fallen  from  his  original  high 
estate,  to  man  debased  by  bad  passions,  untoward  appetites,  sensual 
propensities  ; to  man,  in  a word,  imbued  and  incrusted  with  ignor- 
ance and  sin.  Where  is  the  power  that  can  make  its  way  to  the 
mind,  the  soul,  the  heart,  and  find  them  in  a proper  condition  to  re- 
ceive the  message  of  which  I speak,  the  words  of  divine  truth  ? The 
power  of  God  can  do  it ; but  liberal  are  the  human  means,  that  are 
to  be  instrumental  to  this  vast  purpose,  with  the  sujieradded  aid  of 
Him  who  is  above  ? Two  thousand  years  ago  the  injunction  of  the 
Great  Teacher  was  delivered  to  the  world.  And  up  to  this  moment 
what  effects  have  followed  ? How,  for  nearly  twenty  centuries,  has 
this  injunction  been  obeyed ; and  what  is  the  obedience,  which,  in  the 
very  time  that  is  passing,  is  rendered  to  it?  Is  there  less  ignorance 
now,  less  debasement,  less  sensuality,  less  sin  ? Is  there  less  scope  for 
the  operation  of  that  injunction  ? What  has  the  power  of  education 
been  doing  in  this  long  interval, — and  what  is  it  now  doing  ? Who 
has  been  adequately  enforcing  the  power  of  Christianity  ? Education 
and  Christianity  are  the  great  agents  for  the  redemption  of  the  world, 
disclosed  in  the  valedictory  of  the  Saviour.  And  where,  through  the 
sixty  generations  that  have  risen,  acted,  and  gone,  have  been  the  sil- 
ver and  the  gold,  the  material  wealth  of  the  world,  the  elements  and 
the  sinews  of  its  power  ? How  have  they  been  applied,' — to  bless  or 
to  curse  the  race, — to  minister  to  the  improvement  of  man  or  to  his 
destruction, — to  subserve  the  great  purposes  of  existence,  to  develope 
the  divinity  within  us,  or  to  feed  and  pamper  the  selfish,  the  sordid, 
the  devilish  ? Again  and  again,  I ask,  how  has  the  word  of  God 
been  obeyed,  “ Go  ye  into  all  the  world.”  That  word  has  reference 
to  man’s  higher  nature  : and  has  not  man’s  higher  nature  been  almost 
universally  overlooked  ; and  has  not  his  animal  nature  been  as  univer- 
sally cared  for,  cherished  and  indulged? 

Believe  not,  that  I am  endeavoring  to  divert  your  attention  from 
the  goodly  purpose,  which  has  brought  you  together  to-dajn  You  are 
here  to  rejoice  that  the  intellectual  and  moral  armory  of  this  College, 
is  refurnished  with  the  equipments  of  education,  with  the  means  of 
doing  something  to  bless  the  woidd,  and  to  improve  the  condition  of 
man ; and  that  this  has  been  done  through  the  instrumentality  of 


14 


tliose,  who,  whilst  dealing  with  the  material,  have  not  forgotten  the 
immortal ; whose  minds  have  taken  liberal  and  Christian  views ; 
whose  hearts  have  been  expanded  with  benevolence,  and  whose  souls 
are  the  abode  of  what  forms  the  “ hiding  of  their  power,”  love  to 
flieir  fellow  men.  Behold  then  the  field.  Eemember  the  injunction 
“ Go  ye  into  all  the  world.”  Look  to  the  breaking  down  of  the  strong 
holds  of  all  that  is  evil ; look  to  the  building  up  of  all  that  can  ce- 
ment and  fortify  the  manly,  the  intellectual,  the  moral,  the  spiritual. 
Behold  the  field.  That  field  is  to  be  won  alone  by  the  holy  alliance 
of  education  and  Christianity.  lYe  have  heard  of  holy  alliances 
formed  for  the  maintenance,  by  war  and  bloodshed,  of  the  balance  of 
political  power  Let  the  world  gather  together  to  an  alliance  that 
shall  establish  a balance  of  moral  power  through  the  influence  of  that 
blessed  anthem,  which  for  almost  two  thousand  years  has  been  trod- 
den under  foot, — “peace  on  earth  and  good  will  toman.”  Education 
is  the  means  to  be  used  as  the  pioneer  in  this  great  and  noble  work. 
Education  uniformly  opens  the  way  to  Christianity.  They  are  one 
and  indivisible. 

And  now  I say  to  the  patrons  and  instructors  of  this  youthful  and 
vigorous  institution,  behold  your  commission.  Divine  in  its  origin, 
beneficent  in  its  purpose,  it  reaches  to  all  the  wants  of  man.  I would 
gladly,  if  I could,  impress  upon  all,  the  extent  and  importance  of  this 
va.st  enterprise.  It  is  because  I totally  distrust  my  ability  to  do  so, 
that  I present  to  you  the  words  of  Him,  who  spoke  as  never  man 
spoke.  I urge  it  upon  you  as  the  great  thesis,  which  should  engage 
earnestly  your  best  thoughts.  It  is  a common  topic  to  dwell  upon 
the  value  of  education  ; but  is  it  felt  by  any  of  us  in  all  its  vastness  ? 
I am  fully  persuaded,  that  even  in  this  land,  we  are  barely  beginning 
to  appreciate  it.  Here  in  this  college  is  a central  point,  from  which 
a true  and  fervent  spirit  on  this  subject  should  go  forth  ; — and  that  with 
renewed  and  redoubled  energy.  The  business  of  this  place  is  educa- 
tion, in  one  of  its  leading  and  most  important  departments  The  first 
great  purpose  of  education  here  must  ever  be,  to  train  and  discipline 
the  mind,  and  to  invigorate  its  powers  for  active  and  efficient  effort  to 
teach  it  to  think,  and  to  act  on  other  minds,  with  distinctness,  direct- 
ness, and  point.  Looking  at  ourselves  in  a national  light,  we  are  most 
unconscionably  a talking  people.  It  will  not  be  regarded  I am  sure, 
as  libellous  on  my  part  to  affirm,  that  a very  large  proportion  of  what 
is  said  amongst  us,  I mean  on  public  occasions  and  in  public  deliber- 
ative assemblies,  is  said  to  no  good  purpose,  and  this  for  want  of  terse- 


Hess,  conciseness,  energy,  and  pitli.  "We  are  in  the  hahit  of  covering 
too  much  ground.  The  point  aimed  at,  is  lost  sight  of  in  the  dust 
and  smoke  and  din  of  the  warfare  of  words.  I will  not  speak  here 
of  the  College  or  of  its  habits  of  study ; but  in  after  life,  when  dis- 
tracting cares  and  anxieties  and  multifarious  concerns  invade  the  mind 
and  disturb  its  quiet,  the  faculty  of  attention  in  too  many  cases  ceases 
to  be  cultivated ; and  hence  comes  invariably  the  result  I have  just 
indicated.  I single  out  the  faculty  of  attention  from  the  rest  of  the 
mental  powers,  because,  in  my  own  observation,  I have  been  in  the 
habit  of  tracing  failures  to  produce  results  aimed  at,  to  the  want  orthe 
abandonment  of  cultivation  here,  more  than  to  any  other  cause  ; and  be- 
cause such  is  the  tendency  amongst  us  to  strive  after  the  accomplish- 
ment of  a multiplicity  of  purposes,  that  failure  must  necessarily  en- 
sue, unless  this  important  faculty  be  sedulously  and  steadfastly  train- 
ed and  cherished.  Here  is  the  place,  in  the  department  of  education 
pursued  here,  to  establish  this  faculty,  in  its  entire  strength  and  su- 
premacy, in  the  position  which  belongs  to  it.  Let  not  only  this  and 
all  the  other  powers  of  the  mind  be  duly  disciplined  here  ; but  let  the 
importance  of  maintaining  them  in  their  appropriate  discipline  in  af- 
ter life,  be  earnestly  and  constantly  enforced  and  a great  leading  pur- 
pose of  education  will  be  fully  carried  out. 

Another  prominent  design  of  education  here  is,  to  imbue  the  mind 
with  sound  principles,  with  just,  noble,  and  generous  sentiments,  and 
with  all  the  varied  resources  of  a cultivated  intellect.  Intelligence 
acquired,  and  made  the  subject  of  thoughtful  investigation,  under  the 
guidance  of  that  training  already  spoken  of,  fits  the  man  to  start  fa- 
vorably in  the  race  for  usefulness.  But  alas ! what  counteracting  ten- 
dencies and  forces  are  to  be  met,  resisted,  and  vanquished,  before  the 
race  is  more  than  fairly  entered  upon  ! Indolence,  the  love  of  pleasure, 
the  love  of  distinction  too,  the  indulgence  of  vanity  and  self  sufficien- 
cy, eagerness  to  jump  to  conclusions,  to  gain  the  goal  by  an  electric 
stride, — these  all  are  sore  combatants, — too  often  victorious  over  all  op- 
position. How  necessary,  then,  that  a calm  and  resolute  spirit  should 
here  be  infused  ! and  how  can  this  be  done  effectually  but  by  implant, 
ing  a deep  sense  of  accouHtability  to  God  for  the  use  of  all  the  pow- 
ers, and  for  the  diligent  improvement  of  all  means  and  appointmentsy 
— the  value  of  time,  the  claims  of  duty,  a heedful  submission  to  all  the 
monitions  of  conscience.  AVhen  we  look  at  education  in  this  light, 
we  are  constrained  ever  to  regard  it  as  only  begun,  never  finished,  and 
never  on  this  side  of  the  grave  to  be  finished. 


16 


la  reference  to  the  sentiments,  with  which  the  mind  should  be  im- 
bued, those  especially  which  partake  of  the  character  of  manliness 
and  generosity,  very  greatly  to  be  lamented  is  it,  that  the  ancient  clas- 
sic authors  have  fallen  so  extensively  into  disuse.  They  are  to  be 
regarded,  and  probably  ever  will  be  so,  as  models  of  taste.  In  no 
way  can  the  intellect  be  so  thoroughly  adorned  and  cultivated  as  by 
giving  days  and  nights  of  patient  toil  to  the  mastery  of  the  purer  pro- 
ducts of  Grecian  and  Roman  mind.  The  system  of  study,  amid  the 
groves  and  walks  of  the  ancient  Academia,  is  unknown  to  us  with 
anything  like  accuracy : but  we  do  know  enough  to  be  assured,  that 
the  education  of  a few  minds  was  carried  to  such  a pains  taking  point 
of  perfection,  that  belief  would  be  severely  taxed  but  for  the  results 
and  fruits,  which  have  come  down  to  us.  Singularly  adapted  to  us  as 
citizens  of  a great  Republic  are  these  remains  of  antiquitj',  abound- 
ing, as  they  do  indeed  abound,  with  the  development  and  investisra- 
tion  of  free  principles,  dressed  in  a drapery  of  surpassing  beauty,  and 
enunciated  with  chaste  and  invigorated  eloquence,  they  are  amongst  the 
peerless  treasures  of  the  world.  The  views  which  they  present  of 
liberty  are  of  liberty  at  once  chastened  and  regulated-  The  study  of 
the  great  Orators  of  antiquity  would  put  an  effectual  check  upon  lib- 
erty running  madly  into  licentiousness,  and  upon  the  wantonness  that 
makes  the  demagogue.  To  these  evils  we  are  singularly  exposed ; 
they  are  increasing  and  extending  amongst  us  with  a virulence,  that 
indicates  deep  seated  disease.  Where  can  a more  effectual  remedy 
be  found  than  in  the  revived  study  of  those  models  of  pure  taste  and 
refined  sentiment,  which  the  ancient  classics  afford  ? The  time  may 
have  gone  by  for  the  application  of  any  hopeful  remedy : the  infusion 
perhaps  pervades  the  mass  too  intimately  to  be  extracted  or  neutral- 
ized. The  language  and  the  thoughts  of  our  public  men  in  many 
parts  of  the  land  bear  marks,  not  to  be  mistaken,  of  this  type  of  dis- 
ease : but  here,  in  our  own  New  England,  let  us  hope  that  the  evil 
may  be  checked  in  its  progress  and  averted.  A taste  for  this  branch  of 
study  must  be  encouraged  and  cherished  in  the  College  and  by  the  ex- 
ample and  counsels  of  the  friends  of  pure  learning  amongst  us,  or 
we  shall  be  overran  with  litei-ary  Mormonism.  The  decay  of  true 
taste  will  necessai-ily  be  accompanied  by  a decay  of  just  and  true  sen- 
timent ; and  all  purity  will  come  to  be  regarded  as  affectation  and 
pretension.  To  him,  who  ministers  at  the  altars  of  a pure  and  unde- 
filed religion  I need  not  urge  the  importance  of  these  considerations. 
I bespeak  only  the  influence  of  his  unvarying  example.  Let  not  the 


17 


study  of  tlie  classics  be  confined  to  the  Collegfe'.  There  is  indeed  its' 
appropriate  sphere  : there  the  love  of  it  should  be  nurtured  and  es- 
tablished. But  let  it  go,  with  all  who  are  imbued  with  it,  through 
life.  Let  each  succeeding  day  have  a portion  however  limited,  given 
to  this  delightful  and  important  purpose.  "Were  this  the  proper  oc- 
casion, and  Avcre  there  time,  for  a full  defence  of  the  study  of  the  an- 
cient classics,  I would  gladly  advert  to  several  other  kindred  topics: 
I would  especially  say  something  of  that  cheap  literature,  which  has 
come  in  upon  us  like  a flood,  answering  no  purpose  but  to  cheapen 
and  debase  the  character  of  all  who  venture  upon  its  polluted  waters. 
Purified,  thorough,  systematic  general  education  must  be  the  barrier 
against  this  threatening  inundation.  The  heads  and  the  hearts  of  our 
youth  must  be  shielded  here  and  all  around  by  those  who'  stand  upon 
the  watch-tower. 

I have  a word  to  say  of  a study  eminently  appropriate  to  the  Col- 
lege, inexpressibly  important  to  those  who  live  in  the'light  of  free  in- 
stitutions,—! mean  the  study  of  the  Bible.  I do  not  speak  here  of 
that  highest  use  of  the  Bible,  to  which  the  humble  and  reverent  Chris- 
tian is  accustomed,  as  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life  ; as  opening  the 
consummations  of  happiness  and  holiness  in  another  world.  I speak 
of  it  as  a divine  study  indeed,  but  as  applicable  to  human  purposes. 
The  Bible  contains  the  best  code  of  Pcpublican  principles,  which  has 
ever  been  furnished  to  man  from  any  source.  Take  the  history  of 
the  Hebrew  Commonwealth  and  the  precepts  of  freedom,  which  are 
scattered  in  great  profusion  over  the  pages  of  the  New  Testament, 
and  you  have  all  that  is  necessaiy  to  assure  to  man  the  enjoyment  of 
a well  regulated  lil^erty  and  of  well  balanced  institutions.  But  you 
have  something  more,  infinitely  more  important  than  even  this.'  You 
have  in  the  Bible  the  only  jueans,  by  which  man  can  be  enabled  to 
render  himself  lit  and  worthy  permanently  to  maintain  free  institu- 
tions. The  power  of  human  passion,  in  the  ten  thousand  forms  in 
which  it  is  accustomed  to  show  itself,  constitutes  the  deadliest  foe  to 
])olitical  liberty  ; and  in  the  past  history  of  the  world  has  uniformly 
conducted  liberty  to  its  grave.  The  Bible  points  out  the  only  way, 
in  which  this  power  of  human  passion,  essentially  and  otherwise  in- 
curably selfish,  can  be  checked  and  controlled.  We  are  witnesses  in 
our  day  of  the  elforts,  honest  and  well  meaning  undoubtedly,  that  have 
been  made  and  are  still  making,  to  overcome  the  evils  that  thwart  the 
progress  of  liberty,  and  render  its  blessings  so  extensively  unavaila- 
ble. What  are  the  various  social  systems,  and  systems  of  separate 
communities,  that  have  risen,  flourished  for  a brief  space,  and  then 

3 


18 


have  rapidly  declined  and  decayed  ? They  have  only  served  to  show, 
that  a better  way  is  needed,  without  being  able  to  indicate  what  that 
better  way  is.  What  are  all  the  Attempts  made  and  making  in  France 
to  regulate  labor,  and  to  place  it  upon  a basis  consistent  with  the  prin- 
ciple of  freedom,  and  which  threaten  a disruption  of  the  political  fab- 
ric now  rising  up  amid  the  quicksands  of  that  heaving  and  agitated 
land  ? What  are  all  the  movements,  the  M'orld  over,  which  are  strain- 
ing so  many  minds  and  hearts  after  a foundation  for  liberty  to  stand 
upon  ? They  are  all  but  the  “ experimentum  crucis they  are 
putting  man’s  intellect  to  its  last  and  severest  test  to  find  a foothold 
for  freedom  around  and  within  the  vortex  of  human  passion.  They 
are  the  futile  attempts  “ eripere  sceptrunt  tyrannis,”  without  the 
“fulmen  coelo.”  Had  that  divine  message,  to  which  I have  before 
alluded,  which  the  Saviour  gave  to  man,  been  inscribed  upon  the  world’s 
banner,  ivnd  formed  the  steady  motive  to  human  effort ; instead  of  twenty 
centuries  of  war  and  desolation  intervening,  we  should  now  be  wit- 
nesses of  a glorious  exhibition  of  man,  on  every  portion  of  earth’s 
surface,  standing  erect  in  that  liberty  with  which  Heaven  raaketh  free. 

Those  illustrious  men,  whose  lives  can  never  be  enough  studied  and 
commemorated,  who  founded  these  States  more  than  two  centuries  ago, 
fieeing  from  civil  and  religious  oppression,  brought  with  them  hither 
the  great  and  true  principle  of  liberty.  Their  noble  minds  grasped 
the  truth  in  alt  its  comprehensiveness ; for  they  planted  themselves 
upon  the  platform  of  freedom  divine.  What  a debt  of  gratitude,  under 
God,  do  we  owe  to  the  Puritans.  Not  a day  nor  an  hour  do  I live 
without  an  increased  admiration  of  their  character,  their  sagacity', 
their  honesty,  their  power.  If  u'e  enjoy  liberty  in  any  measure  ap- 
proaching to  purity',  to  the  Puritans  and  to  the  principles  of  the  Puri- 
tans, we  owe  it.  These  principles  Avere  imbedded  in  the  deep  yet 
transpai’ent  truths  of  the  Bible.  “ Let  nothing  be  done  through  strife 
or  vaiiT  glory  ; but  in  lowliness  of  mind  let  each  esteem  other  better 
than  themselves.” — “ Look  not  every  man  on  his  own  things,  but 
every  man  also  on  tire  things  of  others.”  Try  all  the  schemes  of  Ee- 
publican  liberty  by  this  test,  and  the  reason  why  they  have  failed  alto- 
gether, or  have  not  answered  fully  the  goodly'  purposes  intended  or  aim- 
ed at,  will  be  at  once  apparent.  Let  the  Bible  be  studied  as  the  true 
text  book  of  Republicanism.  Let  Christian  liberty  be  the  liberty  we 
seek  to  establish.  No  other  will  sustain  us.  No  other  has  in  it  any 
such  sustaining  power.  The  Bible  alone  teaches  us  that  all  men  are 
free,  not  nominally  but  really  free : it  teaches  us  also  how  to  treat  all 
others  as  being  free.  It  implants  the  disposition  to  regard  others  not 


19 


less  tlmn  ourselves^  He  that  ruleth  over  men  must  be  just,  ruling 
in  the  fear  of  God.”  Does  any  human  code  embrace  such  a maxim 
as  this  ? Is  this  any  where  made  the  practical  test  in  the  selection  of 
rulers  among  men  ? Until  it  is  so,  will  there  ever  he  a sound,  well 
regulated  liberty?  “ Do  unto  others  as  ye  would  that  others  should 
do  unto  you.”  Let  such  a maxim  as  this  actuate  the  hearts  of  a peo* 
pie,  and  the  choice  of  rulers  would  be  “ an  end  of  all  strife.” 

I dwell  not  upon  the  other  numerous  practical  purposes,  to  which 
the  study  of  the  Bible  may  be  applied.  I offer  what  has  now  been 
said,  simply  as  a specimen  of  those  purposes.  I do  not  deem  it  ne- 
cessmy,  nor,  wmre  it  so,  have  I the  command  of  time,  to  enter  upon 
farther  remarks  upon  the  course  of  study  appropriate  to  this  place. 
These  remarks  are  all  of  a general  and  practical  nature.  I go  not 
into  the  consideration  of  systems  or  modes  of  study.  I desire  only  to 
-express  my  own  conviction,  that  education  in  all  its  departments 
should  be  adapted  to  the  times  in  which  we  live.  I have  spoken  par- 
ticularly of  the  great  principle  of  freedom,  to  the  developement,  op- 
erations, and  bearings  of  which  so  much  of  thought  and  investigation 
is  now  given  almost  universally  amongst  men.  This  must  long  con- 
tinue to  be  the  leading  topic  with  all  minds,  so  far  as  we  can  form 
any  definite  judgment  of  the  aspect  of  human  affairs.  All  things  are 
most  evidently  tending  to  a great  conflict,  in  which  the  prominent  ele- 
ment must  be  the  power  of  Christianity, — the  pui’e  and  humble  faith 
, and  practice  of  the  Bible.  This  conflict  I do  not  pretend  to  present 
as  a new  one.  Ages  ago  it  was  commenced.  Often  has  it  been  car- 
ried on  with  energy  ; oftener  has  the  progress  of  the  great  principles 
contended  for,  been  retarded  and  arrested.  War  has  been  the  lead* 
ing  obstacle,  giving  strength  to  the  artn  of  despotism,  and  crushing  in 
its  march  every  germ  of  freedom.  The  generation  that  is  passing, — 
tliose  who  have  lived  and  acted  duiing  any  considerable  portion  of 
the  last  thirty  years,  all  who  can  look  back  with  fresh  thoughts  to  the 
battle  of  Waterloo, — these  have  grown  up  to  the  glorious  prerogative 
and  inheritance  of  peace.  And  it  is  under  the  influence  of  a thirty 
year’s  peace,  that  the  world  is  now  assuming  to  speak.  This  period 
has  been  marked  by  the  power  of  thought, — by  the  power  of  educa- 
tion,— by  the  power  of  benevolence, — to  sum  up  all,  by  the  spreading 
power  of  Chiistianity.  The  power  of  education  especially,  in  some 
one  or  other  of  its  multifarious  forms,  has  every  where  planted  itself. 
It  has  almost  throughout  the  world  begun  its  work.  What  are  the 
great  associations  for  purposes  of  philanthropic  effort,  which  stud  the 
cii’cle  that  arches  the  limits  of  the  present  generation,  but  so  many 


20 


schools  of  p:actical  ^visdom,  £t\edding  their  blessings  and  tlieir  light 
wherever  dhere  is  darkness  to  be  dispelled,  Ayherever  there  is  a hu- 
man heart  to  be  reached  ? What  are  those  Missionary  Stations,  that 
now  dot  the  suidace  .of  the  earth,  so  that  day  after  day,  as  the  hours 
and  minutes  pass,  one  uninterrupted  voice  of  supplication  ascends 
from  them  to  God  for  his  blessing  upon  the  wayward  children  of  men, 
— r'\vhat  are  these  hut  so  many  schools  of  divinest  philosoidiy  ? This 
goodly  heritage,  which  man  possesses,  is  every  where  traversed  hy 
the  sons  and  the  daughters  of  a holy  and  life-giving  philanthropy, 
hearing  the  means  aird  appliances  to  elevate  the  race  from  debase- 
ment and  ignorance  to  knowledge  and  holiness.  The  Lihle  ! who  can 
comprehend  the  achievements  it  has  made  in  the  new  forms  which 
have  been  given  to  it  only  during  the  generation,  that  has  not  yet 
quitted  the  scenes  of  active  life?  These  are  some  of  the  elements 
Avhich  enter  into  the  conflict  of  which  I have  spoken  ; these  are  the 
weapons,  with  which  it  is  to  he  carried  on.  Education  and  Christi- 
anity ? what  an  impulse  are  they  giving  to  men’s  minds ! They  are 
rapidly  Sthifting  that  balance  of  power,  which  has  so  long  stood  in- 
trenched hy  bayonets  and  gunpowder.  They  are  loosening  the  hold  of 
governments  upon  the  people,  because  brute  force  can  no  longer  keep 
mind  in  its  chains.  And  if  thus  much  has  been  accomj  l'  h;  d ur.dt-r 
the  influences  of  peace,  and  with  the  .riight  aid  ulnch  lias  a>  yet  1<  :i 
offered  by  education  and  Christianity,  what  may  we  not  exji.  ct.  when 
this  great  combination  of  power  shall  have  given,  as  with  the  iilc.-.-ing 
of  God  it  soon  will  give,  the  entire  ascendancy  to  educale.l  mind  and 
cultivated  heart,  and  when  man  shall  ever  be  free ! This  is  the  con- 
flict, which  the  world  has  now  entered  upon  ; and  the  means  1 have 
described  are  the  means  by  which  it  is  to  be  conducted,  and  by  wliich 
the  triumph  is  to  be  insured. 

Now  then  is  the  time  for  those  who  have  anything  to  do  with  edu- 
cation, to  put  theipselves  to  the  work  with  unwonted  eaimestness. 
Let  it  be  felt  as  the  great  leading  interest  of  the  world, — as  that  on 
which,  in  God’s  Providence,  man’s  destiny  hangs.  I repeat  it.  that 
we  cannot  dissever  education  and  Christianity.  There  may  indeed  be 
the  one  -without  tlie  other.  Cut  malign  in  the  extreme  must  ever  be 
the  influences  of  intellect,  unsubdued,  unchastened,  unsanctified,  and 
therefore  aiming  only  at  selfish  purposes,  cold,  cheerless  and  heart- 
less in  all  its  associations.  This  is  not  the  intellect  that  can  redeem 
the  world  from  any  of  its  evils-  Of  such  intellect,  there  have  been 
abundant  specimens : that  which  shone  with  such  terrific  lustre  ante- 
rior to,  and  during  the  earlier  stages  of  the  first  French  Eevolution, 


21 


may  have  been  permitted  by  Heaven  as  a warning,  that  true  reform 
can  never  come  from  such  a quarter. 

Let  there  be  felt  iu  this  College,  under  the  new  and  encouraging 
prospects  that  opens  before'  it,  a fervid  educational  spirit.  Let  this 
spirit  be  greatly,  constantly  cherished.  It  should  never  be  regarded 
as  sufucient,  that  ample  justice  is  done  in  the  way  of  instruction,  to 
ingenuous  youth,  who  come  to  these  Halls  to  be  prepared  for  the  or- 
dinary business  and  conflicts  of  life.  Aside  from  this,  vastly  and  pre- 
eminently important  as  it  is  to  become  deeply  versed  in  all  the  learn- 
ing of  the  usual  Collegiate  course,  there  should  be  superadded  a full 
and  faithful  view  of  the  pressing  demand  which  the  country  and  the 
world  now  have  upon  the  sons  to  do,  what  the  fathers  have  left  un- 
done. The  world  has  long  been  slumbering,  or  has  been  active,  main- 
ly, for  evil ; and  difficult  indeed  has  it  been  to  induce  the  educated  to 
enter  into  the  field  of  conflict,  where  discouragements  ivere  present- 
ing themselves  at  every  turn.  ISTow  there  is  work  on  all  sides  to  be 
done  : man  is  every  where  to  be  educated  and  christianized.  The  great 
barriers  that  have  paralized  effort  and  impeded  progress,  have  been 
forced  through,  and  the  pathway  is  open  from  sea  to  sea, — from  conti- 
nent to  continent, — from  land’s  end  to  land’s  end.  Behold  wherever 
the  sun  shines  and  the.  rain  descends,  fields  ready  for  the  seed, — the 
seed  of  human  knowledge, — the  seed  of  divine  cultivation.  In  time 
past  colleges  have  been  the  resort  of  not  a few,  who  have  been  known, 
recognized,  and  only  not  absolutely  encouraged  as  drones  in  the  hive. 
Time  was,  that  the  public  mind  identified  an  idle  life  and  a life  in  a 
College.  Let  it  be  understood, — that  is  too  feeble  a word, — let  it  be 
felt  and  seen,  that  that  time  has  gone  by.  Enerjetic  and  whole-hearted 
work  is  now  demanded  of  all.  Eemember  the  commission, — Go  ye 
into  all  the  tvorld.  Improve  the  condition  of  man.  Ti*herever  there 
may  be  forlornness  and  sorrow,  administer  consolation  : wherever  de- 
pression and  poverty,  lend  a helping  hand ; wherever  there  is  a sin, 
invade  it, — pi’obe  it, — gently  but  effectually  : wherever  there  is  igno- 
rance, enlighten  it.  In  that,  vast  duty  of  infusing  the  element  of 
Christianity  into  the  principle  of  freedom,  let  there  here  be  taken  high 
ground.  We  stand  within  the  atmosphere  of  the  ancient  Puritan- 
ism : let  us  not  be  heedless  of  its  glories  ; let  us  not  be  faithless  to  the 
trust  it  devolves  upon  us, — heightened  as  that  trust  is  by  all  that  we 
see  around  us. 

But  I must  quit  these  animating  topics,  and  draw  towards  a con- 
clusion. 

Let  me  say  in  view  of  what  has  been  uttered,  to  the  patrons. 


22 


tke  benefactors  of  this  college,  bow  opportune,  bow  Providen- 
tial have  been  their  benefactions.  At  no  moment  could  generosity 
have  been  more  strikingly  exhibited : at  no  moment  could  this  col- 
lege have  been  rendered  more  eminently  capable  of  good.  Receive 
into  true  hearts  the  gratitude,  which,  we  trust,  flows  from  true  hearts. 
Be  the  obligations  unceasingly  appreciated  and  lived  up  to,  which 
now  rests  upon  those  who  have  any  part  in  the  management  of  the 
affairs  of  the  College.  Let  all  remember  w'hat  is  due  to  the  benefac- 
tors, what  is  due  to  themselves,  Avhat  is  due  to  the  youth  who  come 
here,  what  is  due  to  the  country,  to  the  world,  and  to  God. 

Mr.  President,  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Board  of  Trustees, — I have 
now  discharged,  in  however  imperfect  a manner,  the  duty  devolved 
upon  me  by  your  appointment.  I have  communicated  to  the  benefac- 
tors and  friends  of  the  College,  the  expression  of  your  thanks  and 
gratitude.  We  enter  now  upon  new  scenes.  The  waning  fortunes 
of  this  Institution,  have  for  years  brought  to  our  hearts  gloom,  des- 
jjondency,  almost  despair.  Heaven  again  beams  upon  us  with  bless- 
ings. To  Heaven  let  us  not  cease  to  offer  the  incense  of  thanksgiv- 
ing. Nor  would  we  fail  to  recognize  and  to  be  grateful  for  the  benefi- 
cence of  our  ancient  Commonwealth.  Blessings  ever  crown  her. 
She  has  acted  up  to  a noble  obligation.  We  read  the  language  she 
has  placed  in  her  Constitution — “It  shall  be  the  duty  of  legislatures 
and  magistrates,  in  all  future  periods  of  this  Commonwealth,  to  cher- 
ish the  interests  of  literature  and  the  the  sciences,  and  all  seminaries 
of  them  ; to  countenance  and  inculcate  the  principles  of  humanity  and 
general  benevolence,  public  and  private  charity,  industry  and  frugali- 
ty, honesty  and  punctuality ; sincerity,  good  humor,  and  all  social  af- 
fections, and  generous  sentiments  among  the  people  ” Noble,  noble 
sentiments  ! Long  may  they  be  remembered  and  cherished  ! Never 
may  they  be  forgotten  by  the  Gummonwealth, — the  Fathers,  the  sons, 
the  children,  the  children’s  children, — to  the  latest  generation  I We 
render  our  thankfulness  and  gratitude  to  all  our  benefactors.  We 
leave  behind  us  the  night  of  gloom  thi'ough  which  we  have  passed. 
We  receive  the  College  into  the  fellowship  of  new  and  animated  hopes. 
The  massive  structures,  upon  which  are  inscribed  the  names  of 
the  generous  donors,  rising  up  in  the  midst  of  this  landscape, 
— these  hills  and  vallies, — of  unsurpassing  grandeur  and  beauty, 
— are  now  dedicated  to  the  cause  of  science  and  truth.  Long,  ever 
may  they  stand  thus  dedicated.  Here  may  science  remain  tributary 
to  virtue,  freedom,  religion.  Here  may  there  be  inscribed  on  all  these 
walls  and  in  every  heart,” — Christo  et  ecclesice” 


ADDRESSES  AT  THE  PDELIC  DINNER. 


After  the  preceding  addresses  'vrere  delivered  in  the  Chapel,  an  in- 
vitation was  given  to  the  audience  to  examine  the  new  Edifice  and  the 
Collections  in  Natural  History.  Subsequently  a large  number  of  gen- 
tlemen and  ladies  partook  of  a dinner  at  the  public  house,  when  a 
number  of  letters  from  persons  invited,  who  were  not  present,  were 
read,  and  several  gentlemen  were  introduced  by  the  President  and 
responded  in  sentiments  too  interesting  to  be  lost.  They  are  given 
below  as  far  as  possible,  without  attempting  to  follow  the  precise  order 
in  which  they  were  introduced. 

The  President  first  referred  to  Hon.^  TVilliam  B.  Calhoux,  and 
said:  We  have  seen  him  in  various  stations  and  relations:  now  as 
Speaker  of  the  Massachusetts  House  of  Representatives  : now  in  the 
Halls  of  Congress  : now  as  President  of  the  hlassachusetts  Senate  : 
now  as  Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth  : now  as  the  zealous  agricul- 
turalist : and  to-day  as  the  scholar  and  elegant  orator  ; and  in  all  of 
these  stations  we  can  say  of  hfm,  ‘ Nihil  tetigit,  quod  non  ornavit.' 

Ml-  Calhoun  replied,  by  expressing  his  sincere  thank?  for  the  kind  manner  in 
which  his  address  had  been  received ; and  testified  anew  to  the  deep  interest  he 
felt  in  whatever  might  contribute  to  the  prosperity  of  the  College,  and  the  welt  be- 
ing of  the  dwellers  in  this  noble  valley,  where  it  is  situated. 

Lest  it  should  seem  to  the  readers  of  this  pamphlet,  that  the  noble 
and  self-denying  men  tyho  laid  the  foundations  of  the  College  were 
forgotten  on  this  occasion,  it  is  proper  to  say,  that  the  following  re- 
marks were  intended  to  introduce  the  only  two  surviving  Trustees, 
who  have  held  that  office  from  the  beginning,  and  who  were  expected 
to  be  present,  viz  : Rev.  Dr.  John  Fiske  and  Rev.  Joseph  Yaill. 

Of  the  fourteen  Trustees  of  this  College  who  began  to  build  it  in 
1821,  w-ith  Dr.  Moore  as  President,  only  two  survive,  and  I am  hap- 
py to  see  them  both  present  to-day.  One  of  them  Mr.  Vaill  has  been 


24 


a Trustee  ever  since  ; and  botli  of  them  are  able  to  say  of  all  the  im- 
portant events  in  the  history  of  the  College,  quorum  fiars  fui.  Wa 
hope,  therefore,  that  they  will  give  us  some  idea  of  the  sacrifices  and 
labors  which  have  been  necessary  to  sustain  and  carry  forward  the 
Institution,  and  bear  testimony  to  the  character  of  the  venerable  men, 
of  whom  we  can  say, — Honor  to  the  memory  of  those  who  laboured 
and  suffered  and  prayed  so  much  for  us  ! 

Another  of  the  Trustees,  who  was  present,  was  then  called  upon. 

We  are  happy  to  see  among  us  a member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees, 
who  has  been  for  several  years  absent,  not  only  from  this  place,  but 
from  the  country-  I hope  he  will  let  us  know  Avhether  his  foreign 
tour  has  diminished  his  respect  for,  and  se'rise  of  the  value  of,  the  insti- 
tutions of  New  England.  I would  welcome  Governor  Armstrong  to 
a place,  where,  in  past  time,  he  has  so  often  offered  his  counsel  and 
aid. 

Governor  Armstrong  replied  as  follows : 

Mr.  President  ; — 

I thank  you  for  the  kindness  which  has  induced  you  to  .apologize  for  my  absence 
from  Amherst  for  several  years  past,  by  alluding  to  my  recent  vovage  to  Europe. 
But  you  will  pardon  me  i(  I decline  the  invitation  to  narrate  at  this  time  to  this 
audience,  any  of  the  trifling  incidents  M iiich  bcfel  me  on  that  voyage.  Suffice  it 
that  I have  returned  to  our  own  country  with  unabated  att.aclunent,  and  v.ith  nn.a- 
bated  confidence  in  its  institutions.  There  we  see  palaces  for  the  noldcs  : h-'i  e we 
have  school  houses  for  the  people.  There  we  see  temples,  and  ceremonies,  and 
priests  in  long  garments.  Here  we  have  village  temples,  the  Sabbath  bell,  and  the 
New  England  pastor. 

I thank  j,'oa  for  the  opportunity  of  jiarticipating  in  the  scenes  of  this  joyous  day, 
and  of  mingling  my  congratulations  with  all  the  friends  of  Amherst  College  in 
view  of  its  present  condition  and  its  future  prosiiects.  I rejoice  particularly  in  the 
Spirit  which  has  pervaded  all  the  exercises  on  this  occasion.  It  augurs  pood 
things.  The  founders  and  benefactors  of  this  seminary  sought  to  cstabii>h  here 
a college  for  the  people;  where  in  present  and  in  after  times  should  be  reared  up 
men  of  sense  and  men  of  piety,  to  prop.agatc  at  home  and  on  foreign  shores  the 
jjiinciples  of  the  gospel.  It  was  in  their  hearts  tliat  this  college  should  he  for 
Christ  and  the  chiirch.  May  this  hope  never  be  disappointed. 

Let  religion  and  science,  piety  and  knowledge,  go  together  lyhile  the  moun- 
tains and  the  mines  reveal  to  your  eager  researches  their  history  and  their  treas- 
ures, may  unsurpassing  diligence  be  manifested  in  working  that  Mine  from  which 
is  obtained  •*  durable  riches,”  and  in  diving  into  those  depths  from  which  is  drawn 
the  pearl  of  great  price. 

Who  does  not  rejoice  to  behold  the  beautiful  structure  which  crowns  one  of 
your  beautiful  hills,  who  of  us  does  not  he.artily  approve  of  the  purposes  to  which 
it  is  devoted  ! yet  Sir.  I trust  you  will  allow  me  to  express  the  hope  that  while 
your  pupils  gaze  tvith  wonder  upon  the  works  of  the  Lord,  in  the  mechanism  of 


25 


the  heavens  ; while  they  admire  the  glorious  lights  that  make  known  the  depths 
of  space,  they  may  never,  no  never,  neglect  to  meditate  with  love  and  gratitude 
upon  the  Star  of  Bethlehem. 

A letter  from  Dr.  Humphrey  gave  rise  to  this  introduction ; 

In  this  letter  we  have  the  fundamental  principles  on  tvhich  the 
College  was  founded,  viz:  trust  in  God,  and  a benevolent  regard  for 
man  ; and  also  its  leading  object,  viz. : to  prepare  men  for  usefulness 
by  thorough  literary  discipline,  Nothing  but  such  principles  and 
such  an  object,  could  have  carried  Dr.  Humphrey,  and  the  Trustees 
associated  with  him,  through  the  many  trying  exigencies  of  the  first 
twenty  years  of  the  College.  Let  the  time  never  come,  when  their 
successors  shall  swerve  from  these  principles,  or  the  noble  example 
that  has  been  set  before  them  ! 

Pittsfield,  June  16,  1848. 

Eev.  Dr.  Hitchcock, — Dear  Sir  : 

I hasten  to  acknowledge  your  kind  invitation  to  meet  the  friends  afid  patrons  of 
Amherst  College,  on  the  28th  inst.,  for  the  purposes  mentioned  in  your  note.  It 
tvill,  I am  sure,  be  an  e.xceedingly  interesting  occasion  ; and  I should  love  to  par- 
ticipate in  the  greetings  and  congratulations,  in  the  midst  of  which  so  many  hearts 
will  leap  for  joy. 

“ The  Lord  hath  done  great  things  for”  Amherst  College,  “whereof  we  are'glad.” 
lie  hath  remembered  it  in  its  low  and  embarrassed  state,  and  raised  up  friends 
for  its  effectual  relief.  First  of  all,  our  fervent  thanksgivings  arc  due  to  Him, 
whose  are  the  silver  and  the  gold  ; and  then,  our  grateful  acknowdedgments,  to  the 
stewards,  who,  with  his  high  approbation,  I nothing  doubt,  have  contributed  so  lib- 
erally, to  place  the  Institution  on  a stable  foundation. 

Though  I cannot  be  present  in  person,  my  heart  will  be  with  you.  “ It  is  a 
good  tiling  to  give  thanks  unto  the  Lord,  and  to  talk  of  all  his  wondrous  ivorks.” 
The  foundations  of  Amherst  College  were  laid  in  prayer  and  faith;  and  how 
would  those  good  men,  its  earliest  and  fastest  friends,  wfio  have  departed,  rejoice 
with  those  who  survive,  could  they  come  back  and  witness  “ what  God  hatli 
wrought.” 

Their  aim  was,  to  build  up  an  institution  for  the  church,  “ upon  the  foundation 
of  the  Apostles  and  Prophets,  Jesus  Christ  being  the  chief  corner  stone,”  and  we 
believe  that  God  heard  their  prayer.  “ Other  safer  foundation  can  no  man  lay,” 
and  from  this  may  it  never  be  shaken. 

May  a double  portion  of  that  wisdom  which  is  fi'om  above,  be  imparted  to  its 
trustees  and  teachers  ; may  the  rain  of  righteousness  descend  upon  it,  as  in  years 
that  are  past,  and  still  more  copiously.  May  the  streams  which  flow  from  it,  not 
only  make  glad  the  cities  of  our  God  at  home:  but  continue  to  flow  into  the  parch- 
ed places  of  the  wilderness,  till  every  land  shall  be  watered,  “from  the  river  of  God, 
which  is  full  of  water.”  With  my  best  regards  to  the  Gentlemen  who  have  “ built 
you  a synagogue”  and  who  are  coming  to  dedicate  it, 

I am  respectfully  yours, 


4 


H.  Humphrey, 


26 


A letter  was  next  read  from  a former  graduate,  with  a few  prefa- 
tory remarks : 

Of  the  Alumni  of  this  College  she  can  say,  as  the  noble  yet  not  afflu- 
ent mother  once  did  of  her  sons,  “ these  are  my  jewels.”  One  of  these 
who  left  us  twenty-four  years  ago,  and  whose  name  is  familiar  to  the 
savans  of  Europe  as  well  as  of  this  country,  we  had  hoped  to  see  here 
to-day.  But  in  his  absence  I know  that  you  will  be  glad  to  hear 
from  Dr.  Bela  B.  Ed'wakds. 


Rev.  Pkksident  Hitchcock,- -Dear  Sir  : 


Andover,  June,  26,  1S48. 


It  is  with  sincere  regret  that  I must  decline  your  kind  invitation  to  be  present  on 
Wednesday.  Indispensable  engagements  will  detain  me  here.  In  common  with 
multitudes  I rejoice  that  you  have  been  so  favored  in  the  Providence  ot  God  as  to 
finish  your  edifice  and  fill  it  with  such  inestimable  treasures.  Nothing  could  he 
more  appropriate  than  such  a collection  in  the  Connecticut  valley,  so  full  of  beauty, 
so  crowded  with  visible  and  tangible  proof  of  Divine  wisdom,  where  the  natural 
sciences  can  be  studied  under  such  preeminent  advantages.  I rejoice,  also,  from 
my  belief  that  these  studies  are  specially  fitted  to  liberalize  the  mind  and  bind  to- 
gether the  scliolars  of  our  country  and  of  all  nations.  No  persons  in  England, — 
where  illiberal  feelings  towards  us  have  too  much  prevailcd,^have  done  more  to 
cement  the  two  countries  together  than  the  students  of  natural  science.  None 
there  feel  or  express  for  us  more  generous  and  ennobling  sentiments  than  some  of 
the  leading  members  of  the  Royal  and  the  Geological  Societies.  One  of  them,  be- 
fore he  showed  me  the  wonders  of  science  which  adorn  his  dwelling,  pointed  out 
what  was  particularly  precious  to  him, — an  admirable  portrait  of  Prof.  Silliman. 
The  president  of  the  Geological  Society  said  in  my  hearing,  that  he  honored  the 
city  of  Boston,  that  it  rvas  doing  more  for  the  cause  of  popular  education  than  all 
England.  A third  individual  who  had  traveled  many  years  in  the  E.ast,  remarked 
to  me,  that  no  men  were  more  respected  for  their  knowledge  and  gentlemanly 
character  than  American  Missionaries.  The  principal  paper  read  before  the 
Royal  Society  in  the  evening  when  I was  present,  was  written  by  an  American 
physician  on  the  coast  of  Africa. 

Any  thing  which  removes  a prejudice,  or  promotes  a kindly  feeling  between  us 
and  our  parent  State,  is  a matter  for  heartfelt  gratitude.  England,  with  all  her 
faults,  is  a noble  land.  No  where  is  there  so  much  moral  worth,  such  attractive 
specimens  of  social  and  Christian  character,  so  much  that  adorns  hnmanitv.  With 
England  and  the  United  States  are  bound  up  to  a great  degree  the  hopes  of  the 
world  Long  may  the  scholars  of  the  two  countries  love  and  labor  like  brethren. 
Rich  and  boundless  fields  of  knowledge  are  still  open  before  them  all. 

Again  expresing  my  sorrow  that  I cannot  be  with  you  on  Wednesday,  and  ho- 
ping that  every  auspicious  circumstance  may  combine  to  render  the  day  pleasant 
and  the  oceasion  interesting. 

I am  yours  very  faithfully. 


B.  B.  Edwrads. 


P.  S.  When  your  new  building  for  the  Library  is  completed, — fire-proof,  a fine 


27 


specimen  of  architecture,  and  filled  with  20,000  new  books,  as  I presume  it  will  be, 
I will  promise  without  fail  to  be  present.  Please  inform  me  of  the  time  of  its  ded- 
ication. 

Dr.  Edwards’  enquiry  in  his  postscript  was  not  answered  at  the 
time  it  was  read : but  upon  longer  consideration,  we  think  it  safe  to 
say,  that  if  Providence  'permit,  the  new  Library  Building  will  be 
dedicated  on  the  4th  of  July,  1850  ; or  if  necessary  to  delay  longer, 
due  notice  will  be  given  of  the  time. 

The  Donors  to  the  new  Cabinet  and  Observatory,  whether  by 
money  or  specimens,  were  alluded  to  as  follows : 

In  St.  Paul’s  church  in  London,  is  an  inscription  intended  for  Sir 
Christopher  Wren,  the  famous  architect,  which  expresses  a good  deal 
in  a few  words  ; and  I would  apply  it  to  those  who  have  contributed 
to  our  new  Cabinet  and  Observatory,  as  well  as  to  the  architect  and 
the  builders.  Si  monumentum  quoeris,  circumspice. 

The  most  munificent  benefactor  of  the  college  was  spoken  of  in  the 
following  manner : 

We  are  honored  to-day  by  the  presence  of  a gentleman,  who,  for  sev- 
eral years,  has  been  in  the  habit  of  carrying  on  a double  system  of 
manufactures.  With  the  results  of  ordinary  manufactures,  I mean 
money,  he  has  established  other  manufactories,  where  mind  is  the  raw 
material,  and  cultivated  and  polished  thought  the  finished  article ; 
where  our  sons  may  become  as  plants,  grown  up  in  their  youth,  and 
OUT  daughters  as  corner  stones  polished  after  the  similitude  of  a palace. 
For  this  invention  the  public  voice  has  decreed,  and  the  voice  of 
posterity  will  decree,  that  the  name  of  Williston  shall  be  engraven, 
not  on  marble  or  steel,  but  on  the  grateful  heart  of  the  world. 

Mr.  Williston  made  the  following  reply : 

Mr.  President  : 

I rise  not  to  make  a speech  but  to  express  the  gratitude,  which  I feel  for  the  very 
honorable  mention,  which  has  been  made  of  my  name  on  this  occasion.  I cannot 
but  esteem  it  both  & privilege,  and  a duty  incumbent  on  those  gentlemen,  who  have 
been  prospered,  (by  the  blessing  of  God),  as  manufacturers,  or  in  other  business 
pursuits,  that  they  should  contribute  a portion  of  their  wealth  for  the  establishment 
of  “those  manufactories”  where,  (as  has  fill,-  been  said),  “mind  is  the  raw  mate- 
rial, and  pulished  and  cultivated  thought  the  finished  article.” 

Sir,  I feel  myself  most  happy  to  meet,  on  this  pleasant  occasion,  many  distinguish- 
ed gentlemen  from  abroad,  the  friends  of  science,  and  of  religion ; and  I cannot 
fail  of  expressing  my  happiness,  in  meeting  so  many  of  the  friends  and  patrons  of 
Amherst  College,  with  their  wives  and  daughters.  I cannot  say,  Mr.  President, 
how  much  I am  gratified,  in  contemplating  the  present  and  prospective  prosperity 


28 


of  the  Institution,  which  I have  known  in  its  days  of  darkness  and  of  poverty  ; 
and  to  which  it  has  been  my  happiness  in  connection  with  many  others,  to  afford 
some  relief. 

Sir,  This  beloved  Institution  was  founded  in  prayer ; it  has  been  blessed  by 
God,  with  numerous  revivals  of  religion, — it  has  always  been,  and  I trust,  it  ever 
will  be,  the  handmaid  of  sound  learning  and  of  true  religion. 

The  President  next  gave  an  account  of  the  circumstances  that  led 
him  to  apply  to  the  IIoN.  Josiah  B. Woods,  to  undertake  the  work 
of  procuring  funds  for  the  Cabinet  and  Observatory.  Mr.  Woods 
finally  said,  “ I’ll  try” ; as  did  Col.  Miller,  when  asked  whether  he 
could  take  a post  at  the  battle  of  Niagara.  Both  did  try  and  suc- 
ceeded. The  one  strewed  the  ground  with  the  dead  and  wounded, 
made  many  widows  and  orphans,  and  acquired  the  reputation  of  a 
brave  soldier.  The  other  has  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  an  edi- 
fice erected  and  devoted  to-day,  with  its  rich  contents,  to  the  cause  of 
science  and  religion ; and  thus  shall  its  influence  be  to  enlighten  and 
bless  mankind,  instead  of  destroying  them.  Who  then  is  entitled  to 
the  highest  honor  and  gratitude,  the  hei'O  of  Niagara,  or  the  en- 
lightened and  persevering  Manufacturer  of  Eastern  Hampshire  ? I 
know  who  will  be  most  honored  here,  and  I think  I know  what  will 
be  the  verdict  of  posterity. 

Mr.  Woods  responded  as  follows  : 

Mr.  President  : 

I presume  it  wall  not  be  expected,  nor  do  I deem  it  proper,  under  the  present 
circumstances,  to  attempt  an  extended  reply  to  the  remarks  by  which  you  h.ave 
brought  my  name  to  the  notice  of  this  audience.  But  I feel  that  I should  be  do- 
ing great  injustice  to  my  deep  sense  of  obligation,  if  I were  to  allow  this  opportun- 
ity to  pass  without  tendering  to  you  my  sincere  and  hearfelt  acknowledgments  for 
the  very  kind  and  flattering  manner  in  which  you  have  been  pleased  to  speak  of 
myself  and  my  humble  efforts  to  promote  the  interests  of  Amherst  College. 

A letter  from  Hcn.  D.avid  Sears  was  introduced  as  follows  : 

In  the  Astronomical  Observatory  at  Cambridge  is  a massive  tower, 
built  solid  of  Quincy  granite,  called  the  “ Sears’  Tower” ; which  sus- 
tains one  of  the  most  splendid  telescopes  in  the  world.  But  in  the 
“ Sears  Foundation  of  Literature  and  Benevolence”  in  Amherst  Col- 
lege, we  have  a more  enduring  structure:  ‘‘monumentura  aere  per- 
ennius” : imo  vero  etiam,  saxo  perennius. 

Xewport,  R.  I.,  JcxE  20,  1S4S. 

Bev.  Edward  Hitchcock,  President  of  AaiHEusT  College, 

Honored  AND  Dear  Sir: — I have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of 


29 


your  letter  of  the  5th  instant,  inviting  me  to  visit  Amherst  on  the  28th  of  June,  to 
examine  the  new  building  which  contains  your  Cabinet  of  Natural  History,  and  to 
join  in  services  appropriate  to  tlie  occasion. 

I regret  that  circumstances  oblige  me  to  deprive  myself  of  this  pleasure.  I 
should  rejoice  to  mingle  my  congratulations  with  yours  at  the  bright  day  which  is 
now  dawning  on  the  College,  and  at  the  prospect  of  its  increased  usefulness. 

It  is  the  peculiar  characteristic  of  Massachusetts  to  give  encouragement  to  learn- 
ing. and  to  cherish  her  literary  Institutions.  It  is  a sentiment  which  has  grown 
with  her  growth,  and  strengthened  with  her  strength,  and  almost  marks  her  as  a 
distinct  people.  From  the  landing  of  their  Forefathers  in  1520,  to  the  present  day, 
her  sons, — while  differing  on  other  .subjects, — have  thought  alike  on  this,  and  they 
have  reason  to  be  proud  of  the  result. 

The  Colleges  of  Massachusetts  are  aptly  called  Seminaries  of  learning  ; for  by 
them  the  seeds  of  knowledge,  of  virtue,  of  morality  and  religion  are  sown  broad 
cast  through  our  land.  Go  where  you  will  from  Maine  to  Mexico,  from  Ohio  to 
the  Pacific  Ocean,  and  much  of  what  you  find  among  the  people  that  is  good,  and 
honest,  intelligent  and  successful,  owes  its  origin  to  the  loins  or  education  of  New 
England, — and  principally  of  Massachusetts.  In  my  humble  opinion  our  Colleges 
are  the  great  conservatives  of  the  Union,  and  we  are  deeply  indebted  to  them  for 
whatever  of  honest  principle,  and  integrity  of  character  exits  among  us. 

You  inform  me  that  the  Trustees  of  Amherst  College  wi.^h  to  take  this  occasion 
“ to  testify  their  gratitude  to  those  who  have  recently  aided  them  so  liberally  in  the 
endowment  of  Professoships,  the  erection  of  a Cabinet  of  Natural  History,  and  an 
Astronomical  Observatory.” 

I join  with  you  most  heartily  in  such  a testimony.  The  good  judgment  of  the 
gentlemen  in  selecting,  and  their  liberality  in  giving  to  these  objects,  fully  entitle 
them  to  such  a mark  of  your  attention,  and  I know  from  agreeable  experience  how 
ready  the  Trustees  of  Amherst  are,  to  express  the  gratitude  they  feel,  for  any  evi- 
dence of  interest  shown  to  their  Institution. 

Especially  permit  me  to  notice  the  Observatory,  and  the  liberal  and  enlightened 
Gentleman  whose  name  stands  the  first  on  the  list  of  Patrons.  I trust  that  the 
foundation  thus  laid  by  him  will  hereafter  sustain  the  instruments  of  modern  sci- 
ence to  draw  from  the  skies  a knowledge  of  the  stars  — to  demonstrate  to  men  the 
Glory  of  God,  and  the  magnificence  of  His  works, — and  show  to  their  wondering 
minds  that  “ the  thousand  brilliant  worlds  which  circle  round  Him,  are  governed 
by  one  law,  and  that  in  wisdom  “ He  has  made  them  all.” 

But  while  the  Benefactors  of  the  College  are  thus  honored,  the  Faculty  of  the 
College  should  come  in  for  their  share  of  gratitude.  I have  been  a silent  but  not 
an  inattentive  observer  of  them.  I have  been  informed  of  their  devotion  to  their 
literary  labors, — of  their  self-denials, — of  their  voluntary  surrender  of  a part  of 
their  moderate  salaries, — reserving  only  enough  for  a bare  subsistance, — to  relieve 
the  College  in  its  necessity.  Such  disenterested  zeal  stands  out  brightly,  and  mer- 
its an  honorable  record. 

I venture  to  conclude  my  answer  to  you,  Eeverend  Sir,  with  the  following  sen- 
timent : Literary  talent,  and  pecuniary  abilitj',  maj'  their  zeal  be  ever  found  united 
in  building  up  the  Halls  of  learning,  and  extending  the  altars  of  Eeligion  1 
With  great  respect  and  consideration. 

Your  obedient  humble  servant. 


David  Seaks. 


30 


In  like  manner  a letter  was  brought  forward  from  Hox.  Abbott 
Lawrence. 

It  is  said  that  in  the  city  of  London  there  are  one  hundred  and 
twenty  men  by  the  name  of  John  Smith  : and  the  fact  gives  rise  to 
numerous  ludicrous  and  some  serious  mistakes  in  the  distribution  of 
letters.  The  family  of  Lawrence  in  Mas.«achusetts  is  somewhat  nu- 
merous. Yet  this  fact  occasions  but  little  inconvenience,  so  far  as  the 
cau.se  of  learning  and  benevolence  is  concerned.  For  if  the  letter  on- 
ly reaches  one  of  the  name,  it  is  pretty  sure  to  result  in  a Scientific 
School,  a Mechanics  Library,  a College  Library  Building,  a Profes- 
sorship, or  an  Astronomical  Observatory.  I know  you  will  be  glad 
to  hear  from  one  of  this  name,  whom  a letter  from  us  happened  to 
reach. 


Boston,  June  12,  1848. 

Mr  Deak  Sir: 

I am  greatly  obliged  for  the  invitation  -with  which  you  have  honored  me,  to  visit 
Amherst  on  the  28th  inst.,  and  regret  that  it  will  not  he  in  my  power  to  be  with 
you.  I hope  to  have  the  satisfaction  at  a future  time,  of  visiting  your  Institution, 
which  appears  to  he  in  a prosperous  condition,  and  destined  to  be  the  instrument 
of  producing  great  good  to  our  common  country.  I rejoice  in  ths  success  of  all 
our  Institutions  of  learning,  partieularly  those  which  have  been  established  for  the 
special  object  of  educating  a class  of  men  at  a moderate  charge,  who  arc  to  dis- 
pense the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  to  the  people,  and  disseminate  sound  morals 
drawn  from  his  teachings.  I have  a clear  conviction,  that  the  only  security  for  our 
excellent  form  of  Government,  is  universal  education,  founded  upon  the  platform 
of  the  Bible.  Whatever  may  be  said  of  our  Pilgrim  Fathers,  there  can  be  no 
doubt  with  all  their  rigid  views,  they  understood  the  true  princi|)les  of  Kepublican- 
ism,  (all  of  which  were  taken  from  the  fountain  of  wisdom)  as  well  lus  the  jihiloso- 
phers  of  the  present  day,  whether  on  this,  or  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic.  In  the 
hope  that  your  labors  may  be  blessed  through  all  time,  I pray  you  to  believe 
Dear  Sir,  that  I remain  always. 

Your  friend  and  obedient  servant, 

Abbott  Lawrence. 

The  following  letter  was  received  from  Gerard  IIallock,  Esq., 
of  New  York,  co-editor  of  the  Journal  of  Commerce. 

New  York,  Jcne  15,  1848. 

Rev.  President  Hitchcock,  Dear  Sir: 

I did  hope  to  be  able  to  attend  the  celebration  to  which  you  kindly  invite  me. — 
but  a sudden  and  dangerous  illness  of  ;ny  partner,  Mr.  Hale,  from  which,  however, 
he  appears  to  be  slowly  recovering,  will  render  it  impossible.  As  I had  the  honor 
of  holding  the  plough  at  the  second  ploughing  of  the  ground  preparatory  to  the 
erection  ofthe  first  College  building,  (Col.  Graves  held  it  the  first  time,)  and  as  from 


31 


that  day  to  this  I have  felt  a deep  interest  in  the  prosperity  of  the  Institution,  I 
should  sincerely  rejoice  to  mingle  my  congratulations  for  its  success,  ■with  those  of 
the  many  respected  friends  who  will  be  present  on  the  occasion. 

With  much  respect, 

Yours  sincerely, 

GeearD  Hallock. 


In  this  letter  we  have  an  important  development  of  character. 
This  gentleman  tvhen  young,  though  he  might  yield  to  age  and  expe- 
rience the  right  to  turn  the  first  furrow  in  founding  a literary  institu- 
tion, was  sure  to  take  the  lead  in  the  second  ploughing.  "We  need 
not  wonder  then,  that  in  subsequent  life,  he  has  so  often  ploughed  the 
first  furrow,  and  ploughed  it  deep,  in  many  an  important  enterprise. 

Professor  Silliman,  Senior,  -wms  thus  introduced  by  a reference 
to  his  great  work. 

There  is  a work  in  our  country  that  has  now  completed  its  fifty- 
fifth  volume,  whose  history  is  essentially  the  history  of  American 
Science-  It  has  formed  a rallying  point  for  the  widely  scattered  cul- 
tivators of  American  Science,  and  gathered  fuel  to  keep  the  sacred 
fire  burning  upon  her  altar  ; and  the  light  which  has  emanated  thence, 
has  been  a principal  means  of  giving  to  this  hemisphere  the  scientific 
reputation  which  she  enjoys  abroad.  This  work  was  started,  and  has 
been  carried  on,  for  thirty  years,  mainly  by  an  individual,  often  at 
great  personal  and  pecuniary  sacrifice.  I refer  to  the  American 
Journal  of  Science  and  the  Arts,  Avhose  fifty-five  volumes  you  can 
see  standing  on  yonder  shelf ; and  what  is  better,  we  have  with  us  to- 
day its  eminent  editor,  Dk.  Silliman,  who,  I would  hope,  will  be 
willing  to  give  us  some  history  of  his  early  labors  and  sacrifices  in 
this  cause ; and  I know,  if  you  look  at  yonder  work,  you  will  not  re- 
gard it  as  flattery  v hen  I introduce  him  as  the  Nestor  of  American 
Science. 

To  this  call  Professor  Silliman  replied  as  follows  :* 


Mr  President: — 

I have  listened  with  great  pleasure,  to  the  very  interesting  and  instructive  ad- 
dresses which  have  been  pronounced  this  morning,  in  the  College  Chapel.  The 
orator,  in  his  terse,  lucid  and  sententious  discourse,  presented  the  best  possible  illus- 
tration of  the  results  of  the  moral  and  mental  training  and  of  the  value  of  the  in- 
tellectual treasures  which  he  commended  to  his  youthful  audience  ; while  the  grace- 
ful and  beautiful  response  of  their  literary  and  parental  head  was  in  perfect  harmo- 
ny, with  the  happy  occasion. 

* By  request,  he  furnished  in  MS.  his  recollections  of  his  impromptu  remarks  ; and  sora'e 
thoughts  have  been  added  or  carried  out  more  fully  than  the  limits  of  time  permitted  on  the 
occasion. 


32 


The  hospitable  and  warm-hearted  social  meeting,  in  which  we  are  now  engaged 
in  the  midst  of  the  guardians,  the  alumni,  the  pupils  and  benefactors  of  the  Col- 
lege, and  of  many  lovers  of  learning,  has  alreadt'  elicited  vivid  thoughts  and  kin- 
dled warm  sympathies  : more  warm  and  more  vi\  id,  no  donht,  fiom  the  kindly  in- 
flence  of  the  gentler  friends  who  grace  this  hoard. 

Happy  should  I have  been  to  remain  a hearer  and  an  observer  only,  for  I came 
to  Amherst  not  to  speak  hut  to  listen.  But  since  I have  been  called  up  by  those 
who  have  a right  to  command,  I must  even  obey,  although  I must  throw  myself 
upon  the  indulgence  of  this  courteous  company,  since  I cannot  offer  premeditated 
thoughts,  and  must  of  necessity  give  utterance  to  the  feelings,  sentiments  and  rec- 
ollections which  may  present  themselves,  spontaneously,  from  the  influence  of  the 
circumstances  that  now  surTOund  ns . 

Allusion  having  been  kindly  made  to  my  humble  action  in  promoting  the 
progress  of  science  in  our  country,  if  I am  to  respond  to  that  suggestion,  I 
shall  not  be  able  to  state  what  I have  observed,  without  speaking  somewhat  of 
myself.  Egotism  I would  gladly  avoid,  but  as  I cannot  entirely  escape  from  the 
consequential  pronoun,  I must  beg  pardon  of  my  audience,  while  I pass  on,  as 
quickly  as  possible,  to  the  more  modest  second  and  third  persons,  whom  I shall  he 
happy  soon  to  introduce.  In  the  summer  of  1802,  being  then  a tutor  in  Yale  Col- 
lege, I had  nearly  finished  a course  of  study  in  jurisprudence,  intending  to  offer 
myself  as  a candidate  for  legal  practice  as  soon  as  I should  have  passed  the  usual 
examination  for  admission  to  the  bar.  At  this  crisis,  a rather  tempting  invitation 
was  presented  to  me  to  remove  to  the  State  of  Georgia,  to  take  charge,  at  first,  of 
a higher  Academy  at  Sunbnry,  in  Liberty  County,  near  to  Savannah,  and  then  to 
pass  into  the  practice  of  the  law.  That  distinguished  man.  Dr.  Dwight. 
President  of  Talc  College,  being  the  friend  of  my  fither  and  family,  and  always 
a parental  friend  to  me.  I asked  his  advice  on  the  occasion,  when  Jie  promptly 
replied,  “ I advise  you  not  to  go  to  Georgia  to  make  a permanent  residence  — 
and  after  assigning  several  cogent  reasons,  which  need  not  be  repeated  here,  he 
added  ; “I  have  a much  better  object  to  propose  to  you.  The  corporation  of  Yale 
College,  last  year, — ISOl, — at  my  suggestion,  passed  a vote  to  establish  a profes- 
sorship of  Chemistry  and  the  connected  sciences,  as  soon  as  the  funds  of  the  Insti- 
tution would  allow.  dVe  have  no  men  among  us  possessing  the  requisite  qualifi- 
cations; we  c:innot  adopt  a foreigner,  with  habits,  and  prejudices,  and  perhaps  a 
language  alien  to  our  own,  and  we  have  therefore  no  alternative  but  to  select  some 
young  man,  in  whom  we  can  confide,  and  allow  him  time  and  assistance  to  pre- 
pare himself  for  tlie  duties  of  the  new  professorship ; now,"  he  added,  “ if  you  will 
allow  your  name  to  stand  for  this  oflBce,  it  shall  be  my  care  to  see  that  you  are  aj>- 
pointed  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  corporation  of  the  College  in  the  ensuing  Sep- 
tember.” It  wa.s  then  July,  and  we  were  standing  fn  front  of  the  College  buildings, 
shielded  from  a fervid  snn  by  the  noble  sycamores,  now  forty -six  years  older  than 
on  that  day.  I naturally  thought  of  the  still  more  fervid  suns  of  Geoigia,  while 
the  very  unexpected  and  gratifying  overture  of  the  President  revived  a love  of 
phenomena  and  of  observation  and  experiment  which  had  delighted  my  childhood 
and  early  youth,  made  me  familiar  with  mechanical  employments  and  somewhat 
expert  in  the  use  of  tools  and  in  v.arious  juvenile  fabrications.  A chord  of  sympa- 
thy had  been  touched  by  a master  hand ; my  feelings  promptly  responded,  and  I 
consented  to  take  the  matter  into  consideration. 


33 


The  president  went  on  to  enforce  his  proposition,  by  adding,  that  in  Ms  viewj 
the  sciences  which  he  had  named  afforded  a fair  field  of  usefulness  and  of  reputa- 
tion, especially  for  a young  man,  who  might  rise  with  them  in  our  rising  country, 
and  if  they  did  not  present  as  flattering  prospects  of  emolument  as  the  law,  they 
would  be  free  from  its  distractions  and  collisions,  and  from  the  keen  rivalry  of  a 
crowded  profession. 

After  consulting  my  friends,  I agreed  to  accept  the  offer ; the  appointment  was 
made  accordingly,  and  very  much  to  the  surprise  of  the  public  ; but  suitable  ex- 
planations of  the  plan  soon  set  that  matter  right,  and  there  was  a ready  acquies- 
cence in  what  appeared,  at  first,  so  startling  if  not  preposterous. 

The  political  situation  of  the  country  being  then  critical,  and  tlie  position  of  col- 
leges not  being  deemed  very  secure,  I finished  my  legal  studies  and  was  duly  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar ; for  it  appeared  possible  that  I might  find  it  still  a desirable  re- 
fuge from  the  violent  movements  of  a tempestuous  period.  In  the  autumn  of 
1802  and  3 I repaired  to  Philadelphia,  and  returned  to  New  Haven  in  the  spring 
season  of  1803  and  4,  after  availing  myself  of  the  courses  of  scientific  lectures,  and 
especially  of  those  of  the  late  Dr.  James  Woodhouse  on  Chemistry.  I was  also 
associated  in  a course  of  private  experiments  with  a gentleman,*  then  already  a 
proficient,  who  afterwards  became  himself  an  eminent  Professor  of  Chemistry  in 
the  Medical  School  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  has  recently  retired 
from  his  labors  after  a long  and  honorable  course  of  public  duty. 

Pinding  in  the  drawers  of  a small  miscellaneous  museum  in  Yale  College  a 
number  of  minerals , I packed  them  aU,  being  then  the  entire  mineral  cabinet, 
in  a small  box,  not  larger  than  a common  travelling  valise,  and  took  them  to 
Philadelphia,  in  my  first  visit  to  that  city,  in  November,  1802.  The  late  Dr.  Sey- 
bert,  subsequently  the  distinguished  writer  on  our  national  Statistics,  had  then  re- 
cently returned  from  the  celebrated  school  of  TVemer,  at  Pribourg,  in  Germany, 
and’was,  at  that  time,  the  only  thoroughly  trained  mineralogist  and  geologist  in 
the  United  States  ; nor  had  he  among  us  any  superior  in  the  science  of  Chemistry. 
An  early  introduction  to  that  gentleman,  secured  his  kind  attention  to  my  little 
collection,  which  I had  marked  by  numerals,  and  I had  prepared  blank  sheets  of 
paper,  with  corresponding  numbers,  against  w'hich  I wrote  the  names  which  du- 
ring a visit  to  my  chamber.  Dr.  Seybert  gave  me,  as  he  performed  the  function  of 
Adam  at  the  creation,  by  imposing  appellations  on  objects,  most  of  wMch  were 
quite  as  new  to  me  as  were  the  animals  to  our  great  progenitor. 

This  brief,  but  to  me  very  important  instruction,  I never  forgot ; it  was  my 
starting  point  in  mineralogy ; like  the  first  dollar  obtained  in  business,  it  became 
the  basis  of  capital,  and  like  that  dollar,  when  earned  by  industry  and  effort,  it 
was  highly  valued,  because  I realized  its  importance.  Prom  that  time  onward,  for 
many  years,  I lost  no  occasion  for  studying  and  collecting  minerals,  until  the  sub- 
ject, illustrated  by  fine  opportunities  in  the  field  and  splendid  collections  in  cabi- 
nets, grew  upon  me  with  a rapidity  of  acquisition  equal  to  that  wMch  attend'S  suc- 
cessful efforts  in  business,  and  with  a degree  of  fascination  not  inferior  to  that 
which  surrounds  an  acquired  fortune.  K any  persons  who  have  seen  the  cabinet 
of  Yale  College  as  it  now  stands  arranged,!  should  chance  to  recollect  the  small 

* Robert  Hare. 

t The  iplendid  Gibbs  Cabinet  wa»  acquiiied  within  the  first  twenty  years  after  my  appoint- 
ment. 


5 


34 


box  of  minerals  with  wliicli  it  began, — they  will  not  tliink  it  extravagant,  if wC 
should  appropriate  the  classical  sentiment,  e parvis  oriuntur  magna. 

On  the  4th  day  of  April,  1804,  I gave  my  first  lecture  hi  Chemistry'  to  the  Senior 
Class  in  Yale  College,  and  the  suceeding  seasons  until  March,  1805,  were  dili- 
gently occupied  in  the  fulfilment  of  similar  duties,  and  in  constructing  a Labora- 
tory. 

Between  the  months  of  March  1805  and  June  1806, 1 was  industriously  em- 
ployed, chiefly  in  England  and  Scotland,  and  a short  time  in  Holland,  in  pursuits 
connected  with  Science  and  with  the  interests  of  Yale  College.  Eich  sources  of 
knowledge  were  opened  to  me,  both  in  the  halls  of  instruction  in  London  and  Ed- 
inburgh, and  in  the  profound  depths  of  the  mines,  and  I retumed  with  increased 
confidence  and  satisfaction  to  my  proper  duties. 

And  here,  Mi’.  President,  as  you  have  called  me  up  and  compelled  me  to  speak 
of  myself,  I must  be  forgiven,  if  I now  say  something  of  you. 

What  I am  now  to  utter  must  be  considered  as  spoken  aside,  like  some  passa- 
ges in  a play,  and  I shall  adopt  the  fiction  that  you  arc  not  present,  while  I address 
myself  not  indeed  to  the  galleries  with  which  the  room  is  not  embellished,  but  to 
the  tables,  surrounded  as  they  are  by  intelligent  gentlemen  and  ladies. 

Several  years  after  my  return  from  Europe,  and  before  this  college  was  founded 
I received  a small  box  of  minerals  from  a person  then  unknou-n  tome,  who  stated 
that  he  was  the  principal  of  Deei’field  Academy,  and  that  he  was  in  the  habit  of 
collecting,  in  his  excursions,  among  the  rocky  ridges  of  that  picturesque  and  beau- 
tiful country,  such  minerals  as  he  could  find,  but  as  he  was  not  able  to  name 
them,  he  had  forwarded  to  me  a box  of  specimens,  with  the  localities  attached, 
and  I was  desired  to  mark  and  return  them.  The  accompanying  letter  produced 
a very  favorable  impression  on  my  mind,  by  the  intelligent  zeal  and  modesty 
which  were  its  characteristics.  It  was  therefore  promptly  and  kindly  answered  ; 
the  minerals  were  named,  and  the  gentleman  was  encouraged  to  send  other  boxes 
as  he  might  find  occasion.  In  due  time,  other  boxes  came,  and  the  mineralogists 
now  present,  hardly  need  to  be  informed,  that  the  minerals  were  such  as  are 
usually  found  in  trap  or  basalt  formations,  and  that  among  them  were  quartz  of 
several  varieties,  agates,  chalcedony,  analcime,  chabasie,  and  other  Zeolitic  mine- 
rals ; some  of  which  were  not  indeed  of  great  practical  importance,  but  all  of  them 
possessed  a degree  of  scientific  interest,  as  new  localities,  and  especially  as  char- 
acterising, geologicalh’,  this  part  of  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut. 

The  interest  which  had  been  created  by  this  correspondence  was  soon  increased 
by  personal  interviews,  resulting  in  several  terms  of  residence  at  New  Haven, 
where  all  the  sources  of  knowledge  in  our  possession,  were  freely  opened  and  ren- 
dered available  to  one  who  knew  how  to  appreciate  them  and  whose  valuable  mor- 
al, and  interesting  social  traits  made  me  happy  to  acknowledge  an  estimable  per- 
sonal friend  and  efficient  coadjutor  in  Edwakd  Hitchcock.. 

If  the  arduous  and  important  duties  of  the  clerical  profession  under  the  com’ic- 
tion  of  the  superior  claims  of  religious  duty,  soon  detached  the  devotee  of  science 
from  his  favorite  pursuits,  he  never  relinqmshed  them  entirely ; and  well  might  he 
linger  over  the  science  of  nature,  in  the  study  of  which  in  the  beautiful  language 
of  Agassiz,  we  read  the  thoughts  of  God,  and  thus  the  science  of  nature  becomes 
preparatory  and  auxiliary  to  the  study  of  revelation.  Not  many  years  passed 
away,  before  we  had  the  pleasure  of  recommending  the  Keverend  clergyman 


35 


CiS  a proper  person  to  fill  a professorship  of  Natural  Science  in  this  College; 
he  accepted  the  apipointmcnt,  and  we  have  come  forward  to  this  day  pari  passu 
in  the  pursuits  of  science  and  united  in  the  confidence  of  friendship.  How 
ably  he  fulfilled  the  duties  of  his  station,  is  well  known  to  all  the  classes 
which  have  passed  under  his  instructions,  and  his  grateful  pupils  have  often  sent 
him  returns  from  distant  lands, — even  from  central  Asia,  of  the  natural  produc- 
tions of  those  regions  so  famed  in  ancient  story.  His  numerous  papers  in  the 
Arnejican  Journal  of  Science  and  Arts,  on  the  mineralogy  and  geology  of  the 
Connecticut  Kiver  Valley  and  on  many  other  subjects  ; and  above  all,  his  element- 
ary work  on  Geology  and  his  elaborate  and  masterly  report  on  the  Geology  and 
Natural  History  of  Massachusetts,  rendered  more  and  more  perfect  in  three  edi- 
tions published  by  the  government,  prove  that  our  confidence  in  him  was  well 
founded,  and  that  he  is  fully  entitled  to  the  high  reputation,  both  American  and 
European,  which  he  enjoys. 

I must  now  request  another  gentleman  to  vanish  for  a few  moments,  or  to  re- 
main incog,  while  I advert  to  some  circumstances  connected  equally  with  his  per- 
sonal history  and  with  that  of  the  departments  of  science  which  he  has  success- 
fully cultivated. 

Some  years  after  this  college  was  founded,  I received  a letter  from  a member 
of  one  of  its  college  classes,  whose  name  was  new  to  me.  He,  in  a modest  man- 
ner, offered  for  publication  in  the  American  Journal  of  Science,  a description  of 
certain  minerals  found  in  this  vicinity.  The  skill  and  tact  of  a proficient  W'erc 
apparent  in  this  early  effort,  and  he  was  of  course  encouraged  to  repeat  his  com- 
munications. As  in  the  case  of  the  honored  head  of  this  Institution  correspondence 
brought  us  to  a personal  interview,  followed  by  a residence  at  New  Haven,  under 
the  shadow  of  the  college.  In  the  course  of  some  time  he  became  the  scientific  ^ 
assistant  in  my  department,  and  was,  for  several  years,  my  zealous  and  able  col- 
league; until  the  Franklin  Institute  of  New  Haven,  a popular  Institution  for  in- 
struction made  accessible  to  all  persons,  was  founded  by  a patriotic  citizen,  James 
Brewster  Esq.  when  the  gentleman  alluded  to  above  became  charged  with  the 
care  of  this  new  establishment.  From  this  temporary  connexion,  we  in  full  con- 
fidence indorsed  him  over  to  the  Medical  College  of  South  Carolina,  situated  in 
Charleston,  where  he  has  for  tliirteen  years  sustained  a high  and  deserved  reputa- 
tion. 

His  own  alma  mater  has  also  adopted  him,  as  one  of  her  professors,  and  we 
have  now  the  pleasure  of  seeing  Chaeles  Upham  Shepaed,  among  those  who 
do  honor  to  the  Institutions  with  which  he  is  connected,  not  only  among  his  own 
countrymen,  but  in  the  Scientific  circles  of  Europe. 

This  gentleman  has  been  a frequent  contributor  to  the  pages  of  the  American 
Journal  of  Science  and  Arts,  and  his  numerous  explorations  and  reports  on  mines 
and  mineral  resources  and  various  practical  interests,  including  an  able  report  on 
the  economical  mineralogy  and  geology  of  Connecticut  have  made  him  a part  of 
the  scientific  furniture  of  his  country,  “ known  and  used  of  all  men.”  A rapid 
journey  to  Great  Britain,  some  years  since,  enlarged  his  knowledge  and  extended 
his  connexions,  and  thus  we  are  happy  to  see  in  this  case  and  in  many  other  in- 
stances, that  learning  does  not  always  rust  out  in  colleges,  but  is  often  drawn 
forth  for  the  benefit  of  mankind.  Professor  Shepard  has  also  given  us  a valuable 
elementary  work  on  mineralogy  which  is  still  a standard  book. 


3G 


Contributions  to  science,  through  the  American  Journal  have  been  made  by 
other  gentlemen  of  this  faculty,  but  we  must  set  limits  to  our  present  recapitula- 
tion, as  the  proprieties  of  this  occasion  do  not  allow  us  to  go  beyond  the  sphere  of 
our  personal  observation  in  relation  to  this  College  and  our  own,  and  we  can  not 
even  allude  to  a multitude  of  other  interesting  facts  relating  to  the  progress  of 
Science  over  the  wide  area  of  our  country,  and  to  the  connexion  of  the  science  of 
this  land  with  that  of  Europe,  where  it  is  now  eagerly  sought  for,  and  many  of  our 
best  memoirs  are  republished  in  various  languages. 

I cannot  close  these  hasty  remarks  without  offering  my  best  congratulations  to 
the  friends  of  this  college,  on  the  happy  occasion  which  has  brought  us  togetl)er. 
A quarter  of  a century  ago  and  Amherst  College  was  not  in  existence;  now  it 
presents  to  ns  results  worthy  of  our  older  Institutions  : and  if  it  has  experienced 
adversity,  and  has  in  former  years  struggled  on  with  limited  means,  it  is  now 
cheered  by  the  bright  sunshine  of  public  and  private  patronage,  and  the  useful 
arts  have  yielded  to  it  a liberal  portion  of  their  rich  results.  May  they  long  pros- 
per, and  may  that  munificent  individual,  who  knows  so  well  how  to  bestow  the 
bounties  of  providence,  long  continue  to  reap  and  wisely  use  his  golden  harvest. 

The  noble  Building,  constructed  for  an  Observatory  and  Museum,  which  now 
crowns  one  of  the  hills  of  Amherst,  does  great  honor  to  the  Institution,  to  the  lib- 
eral contributors  to  its  erection,  and  to  the  architect. 

The  museum  of  Natural  History  is  rich  in  various  departments,  especially  in 
mineralogy,  geology,  conchology,  and  entomology.  The  beautiful  and  very  se- 
lect cabipet  of  mineralogy,  deposited  by  Prof.  Shepard  would  do  honor  to  any  uni- 
versity in  Europe,  and  there  are  few  collections  in  conchology  and  entomology 
equal  to  that  of  Prof.  Adams,  both  as  regards  its  extent,  variety  and  com- 
pleteness and  the  fine  taste  and  beauty  of  the  arrangement;  while  the  rich  collec- 
tion made  chiefly  by  tbe  President,  extremely  interesting  and  instructive  as  it  is 
especially  in  local  specimens,  is  almost  unique  among  the  cabinets  of  our  country. 

Here  and  at  Greenfield*  are  to  be  seen  tbe  results  of  much  labor  and  skill  ex- 
pended in  developing  the  foot  marks  of  extinct  races  of  animals  that  walked  this 
earth  and  in  this  region  in  great  multitudes  soon  after  the  era  of  the  coal  formation. 
This  is  not  the  occasion  to  discuss  the  relative  claims  of  reptiles  and  birds  as  the 
authors  of  these  tracks.  It  appears,  however,  to  admit  of  no  reasonable  doubt 
thatboth  once  walked  on  the  yielding  but  tenacious  mud  when  it  was  in  a fit 
state  to  receive  and  retain  the  impressions,  which,  in  the  case  of  some  of  the 
largest  and  deepest,  fill  us  with  astonishment,  when  we  see  that  several  quarts  of 
water  may  be  contained  in  the  separate  cavities,  and  that  the  tallest  man  strives  in 
vain  to  equal  the  easy  stride  of  these  more  than  birds  of  Jove. 

The  splendid  science  of  Geology  informs  us  that  below  the  coal  all  animals 
were  marine, — at  the  era  of  the  coal,  we  find  the  first  transition  to  amphibia 
and  reptiles,  and  if  our  views  are  correct,  to  birds ; but  many  ages  rolled  by, 
before  any  terrestrial  animal  walked  the  earth,  and  more  ages  still  before  man, 
the  lord  of  this  lower  creation,  was  called  into  being,  and  took  quiet  possession 
of  his  splendid  palace. 

In  this  college.  Astronomy  still  looks  below  as  well  as  above  for  means  to  fulfil 

*At  Greenfield,  by  Dr.  Deane,  who  has  distinguished  himself  greatly  in  tliis  re- 
search,— aided  by  a zealous  and  intelligent  artizan,  Mr.  Marsh,  whose  collection 
/s  exceedingly  large  and  interesting. 


37 


its  higli  behests.  It  will  not  be  in  vain  that  the  telescopic  aperture  in  the  revolv- 
ing dome  of  this  lofty  observatory  shews  its  empty  space  and  its  naked  pedestal. 
Some  Williston,  or  Hitchcock,  or  Lawrence,  will,  before  many  years,  mount  on  tliis 
tower  the  magical  tube  that  revolves  the  nebulte,  and  shews  a countless  multitude 
of  worlds,  where  the  naked  eye  sees  only  a diffused  light,  like  that  of  the  milky 
way.  When  Harvard  needed  a grand  telescope  it  was  only  necessary  for  Prof. 
Pierce,  during  a public  lecture  on  comets  in  Boston,  to  hold  up  in  his  hand  a very 
small  instrument,  and  to  say  that  if  they  had  not  been  as  fortunate  as  a sister  in- 
stitution in  discovering  the  comet  of  1842 — this  was  the  reason,  as  they  had  no 
better  telescope.  We  were  present  and  did  not  doubt  that  this  would  prove  a 
master  stroke  of  eloquence,  addressed  as  it  was  to  the  liberality  of  a rich  and 
munificent  community.  The  result  is  well  kno\vn,  and  we  hazard  little  in  pre- 
dicting, that  tlie  mute  eloquence  of  this  unfurnished  dome  will  prove  equally  ef- 
fectual, e’er  many  astronomical  cycles  have  revolved. 

We  cannot  take  leave  of  Amherst  and  its  vicinity  without  casting  our  eyes, 
once  more,  upon  its  splendid  scenes  of  grandeur,  beauty  and  loveliness.  Its  ranges 
of  abrupt  and  yet  accessible  mountains, — its  gi-aceful  hills  of  gentle  slope, — its 
rich  fields  of  com,  and  crops  of  various  names, — its  vast  and  luxuriant  mead- 
ows, W'atered  by  its  matchless  river, — its  numerous  and  brilliant  villages,  adorned 
with  school  houses,  and  bristling  with  steeples, — and  more  than  all,  its  morah 
intelligent,  and  happy  population  present  to  the  eye  and  the  mind  a combination 
which  it  is  delightful  to  contemplate. 

Permit  then,  a son  of  another  State,  which,  as  the  younger  sister  of  the  same 
lineage,  holds  Massachusetts  in  high  veneration, — and,  as  a son  of  an  Institution 
which  is  a scion  of  the  venerable  Harvard,  to  wish  all  prosperity  to  the  Colleges 
of  this  State,  and  especially  to  this  young  Institution,  which,  under  its  present 
wise  and  happy  administration,  will  continue  to  enlarge  its  means  of  usefulness, 
and  to  draw  to  itself  increasing  esteem,  confidenee  and  affection. 

The  reference  of  Dr.  Silliman  to  Professor  Shepard  brought 
.the  latter  before  the  audience  in  the  following  remarks : 

In  rising  to  return  my  thanks  for  the  notice  which  Dr.  Silliman  has  been  pleas- 
ed to  take  of  me  in  his  remarks,  I may  perhaps  be  allowed  to  be  so  far  egotistical 
as  to  allude  to  my  early  relations  with  that  eminent  individual.  Twenty-two  years 
ago,  it  was  my  good  fortune  to  be  admitted,  first  as  a private  pupil  of  the  Profes- 
sor, and  soon  after  as  his  assistant.  Having  previously  had  my  attention  strongly 
turned  to  the  departments  of  chemistry  and  mineralogy,  the  increased  facilities  I 
found  at  New  Haven  for  their  prosecution,  (arising  from  a well  furnished  labora- 
tory, a splendid  cabinet  of  minerals,  and  a well  supplied  library,)  heightened  by 
the  dignified  and  generous  bearing  of  my  instructor,  determined  so  effectually  the 
current  of  my  life,  that  it  has  steadily  kept  to  the  same  channel  ever  since.  To 
my  latest  day,  I shall  never  lose  the  memory  of  those  happy  years,  in  which  there 
remains  behind  not  one  recollection  tinctured  with  regret,  save  this : that  I did 
not  more  assiduously  improve  the  golden  opportunities  then  placed  ■within  my 
reach.  Whatever  of  success  has  -«-aited  upon  my  cai-eer,  I am  bound  to  ascribe  to 
my  early  master ; the  errors  and  the  imperfections  which  have  marked  my  course 
are  my  own ; and  I regret  that  the  stock  of  these  undesirable  originalities  is  so 
very  considerable. 


9 


38 

I need  scarcely  add,  that  it  is  one  of  the  pleasantest  events  of  my  life  to  welcome 
the  faithful  professor  and  learned  editor  here  to-day,  to  whom  with  many  a palpi- 
tation of  heart,  I sent,  while  still  a youthful  student  in  yonder  walls,  the  scientific 
paper  to  which  he  so  flatteringly  alluded,  and  from  whom  I soon  received  in  reply, 
words  of  encouragement  and  hope.  May  his  days  be  greatly  prolonged  on  earth, 
to  witness  and  to  aid,  the  extension  of  those  useful  sciences,  which  he  was  among 
the  first,  and  by  far  the  most  efiicient  of  any,  to  introduce  to  the  notice  ofhis  coun- 
trymen. 

In  this  reminiscence  of  my  early  associations,  will  Dr.  Silliman  allow  me  before 
taking  my  seat,  to  add,  that  my  attention  was  drawn  to  a blooming  boy,  who  used 
occasionally  to  linger  about  the  laboratory  and  the  cabinet.  His  first  chemical  ex- 
ploit, I believe,  consisted  in  tapping  a row  of  sugar-maple  shade  trees  before  his 
father’s  door,  and  in  manufacturing  from  the  sap  a superior  quality  of  sugar.  He 
next  surprised  his  friends  by  procuring  a fine  series  of  medallion  castings  in  iron. 
These  exploits,  were  followed  in  quick  succession  by  the  unassisted  construction  of 
a splendid  turning  lathe,  by  means  of  which  he  rapidly  executed  a great  variety  of 
the  most  finished  turmings  in  metal.  That  youth,  as  the  years  roUed  by,  stead- 
ily advanced  in  this  promising  career.  He  passed  with  credit  the  college  currica- 
lum,  became  a skillful  chemist  and  mineralogist,  rose  to  an  equal  rank  in  the  Uni- 
versity with  my  honored  teacher  himself,  and  enrolled  his  name  as  co-editor  of  the 
American  Journal  of  Science.  That  name  is  no  other  than  Pbofssor  Bexjajiin 
S11.LIMAN,  itself;  and  the  individual  who  bears  it,  honors  us  with  his  presence  to- 
day, in  company  with  his  distinguished  parent. 

The  elder  Pliny  wrote  thirty-seven  books  on  Natural  History,  which  constitute 
in  this  department,  our  most  precious  relic  of  classic  antiquity.  The  elder  Silli- 
man has  already  completed  about  fifty,  in  scientific  journalism  ; may  the  younger 
Silliman  be  permitted  at  least,  to  achieve  the  century  of  volumes ! 

Pkopessor  Shepard’s  allusions  to’ Professor  Silliman,  Junior, 
produced  a response  from  that  gentleman. 

In  reply.  Prof.  Silliman  said ; That  he  was  never  taken  so  much  by  surprise 
as  in  finding  himself  alluded  to  on  the  present  occasion,  by  the  gentleman  who 
had  just  spoken.  Never  before  had  he  found  himself  placed  in  circumstances  of 
such  peculiar  embarrassment  as  his  friend  had  now  left  him  in  ; and  much  as  he 
felt  himself  indebted  to  Professor  Shepard  on  the  occasion,  he  certainly  could  not 
thank  him  for  the  present  flattering  allusions,  since  they  imposed  the  obligation  of 
a reply,  when  entire  silence  was  the  only  course  consistent  with  his  feelings. 

He  reverted  with  great  pleasure  to  those  youthful  days,  when  it  was  his  privi- 
lege to  enjoy  daily  intercourse  with  his  distinguished  friend,  in  the  Laboratory  of 
Yale  College,  and  to  witness  the  zeal  with  which  he  devoted  himself  to  his  favor- 
ite pursuits.  He  felt  the  power  of  this  example  in  awakening  his  own  mind  to 
kindred  interest  and  zeal  in  the  same  departments.  Certaih  lie  was,  if  any  success 
should  attend  his  efforts  in  the  cause  of  science,  that  tlie  most  of  such  success, 
should,  in  no  inconsiderable  degree,  be  most  gratefully  refen-ed  to  the  advantages 
derived  by  him  from  his  former  intimate  connection  with  Prof.  Shepard. 

The  speaker  would  not  trust  himself  to  encounter  those  emotions  which  must 
unavoidably  arise  in  his  heart  from  a contemplation  of  the  delicate  position  of  pe- 


89 


culiar  responsibility  in  which  he  was  placed,  as  it  were,  by  inheritance.  Mr.  Shep- 
ard had  feelingly  alluded  to  his  editorial  connections  and  his  filial  position.  He 
felt  most  keenly  his  inability  to  meet  all  the  expectations  which  might  be  reason- 
ably entertained  in  consequence  of  the  advantages  which  he  had  always  enjoyed . 
No  one  else  could  be  so  painfully  sensible  as  himself  of  the  imperfect  manner  in 
which  he  had  improved  those  opportunities,  and  he  must  rely  upon  the  kind  con- 
sideration of  his  friends  for  all  his  short  comings. 

He  adverted  with  pleasure  to  the  present  encouraging  position  of  Amherst  Col- 
lege,— to  her  enlarged  and  available  means  of  instruction.  He  had  not  before  en- 
joyed the  pleasure  of  being  within  her  walls,  and  he  could  scarcely  credit  the 
statements  he  had  heard  of  her  former  days  of  despondency  and  gloom,  contrast- 
ed as  such  a condition  was  with  her  present  position  of  commanding  excellence, — 
not  second  to  the  best  appointed  institutions  in  this  country.  The  speaker  con- 
cluded by  congratulating  the  President  upon  the  remarkable  prosperity  which  had 
attended  his  administration  of  the  affairs  of  Amherst  College, — a success  which 
was  the  best  pledge  of  future  usefulness  and  advancement. 

Another  scientific  gentleman  was  thus  introduced : 

When  Franklin  discovered  the  laws  of  Electricity,  it  gave  him 
power  to  a certain  extent,  over  the  lightning.  We  have  a gentleman 
with  us  on  this  occasion,  who  has  obtained  a similar  power  over  the 
winds  and  the  storms,  in  the  same  way,  by  discovering  at  least  a part 
of  the  laws  that  regulate  them.  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  introduce 
my  friend,  William  C.  REDriELU,  Esq.,  of  New  York,  known 
throughout  the  scientific  world,  as  having  well  nigh  wrested  the  scep- 
tre from  Eolus,  and  the  trident  from  Neptune. 

The  response  of  Mr.  Redfield  was  as  follows  : 

Mr.  W.  C.  Eedfield  could  only  offer  bis  thanks  for  the  kind  manner  in 
which  he  had  been  introduced  by  the  President  to  the  respected  auditory.  If  it 
had  been  his  fortune  to  be  instrumental,  in  any  degree,  in  pointing  out  to  the  mar- 
iner the  true  dangers  which  beset  his  path,  and  the  best  methods  for  avoiding  or 
lessening  these  dangers,  it  had  been  owing,  in  a great  measure,  to  those  earlier  ef- 
forts for  the  promotion  of  American  science,  which  they  had  heard  described  so 
eloquently  on  the  present  occasion, — in  which  efforts.  Professor  Silliman,  Presi- 
dent Hitchcock,  and  others,  had  been  so  eminently  distinguished.  He  saw  before 
him  some  of  the  friends  to  whom  he  had  been  mainly  indebted  for  advice  and  en- 
couragement in  his  own  humble  efforts  and  inquiries,  and  among  them  one,  [Dr. 
Gridley,  of  Amherst,]  who,  when  a college  student,  had  first  drawn  his  uncultiva- 
ted attention  to  chemistry  and  other  natural  sciences,  which  at  that  time  had  only 
begun  to  receive  attention  in  our  colleges.  It  was  his  privilege  to  be  a native  of 
the  Connecticut  valley,  and,  having  been  brought  here  to-day,  by  the  interest 
which  he  felt  in  its  prosperity  and  in  the  progress  of  useful  knowledge,  he  could 
make  no  claims  to  their  attention  but  such  as  might  well  belong  to  the  sons  of 
New  England  who  have  been  trained  in  her  common  schools.  He  would  consid- 
er these  primary  schools  as  constituting  the  true  foundation  of  those  matnrer  ef- 


40 


fotts  and  institutions  for  the  promotion  of  knowledge  and  virtue  which  we  haJ 
met  to  commemorate ; and  would  now  beg  leave  to  offer  as  a sentiment,— The 
Common  Schools  of  New  England  : living  germs  of  a great  fcture. 

A letter  from  tlie  Hon.  Jonathan  C.  Perkins,  whose  Report 
and  efforts  as  chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  Legislature,  had  ex- 
erted a strong  influence  in  giving  the  College  success  in  its  applica- 
tion for  aid  from  that  body,  was  introduced  with  the  following  remarks  i 

Little  did  I imagine  that  among  our  numerous  benefactors  we 
should  find  the  Sea  Nymphs,  coming  to  our  aid.  But  I hold  in  my 
hand  their  beautiful  offering,  which  the  following  letter  from  Hon, 
J.  C.  Perkins  will  explain. 


Salem,  June  20,  1848. 

Mt  Dear  Sir  : 

I have  sent  addressed  to  you,  a book  of  sea  plants,  prepared  for  the  use  of  Am- 
herst College  by  some  of  my  friends  in  Salem:  Mrs.  James  Briggs,  Mrs.  Robert 
Brookhouse,  the  Misses  Richardson,  and  Mrs.  Perkins,  my  wife.  It  appears  to  be 
a very  choice  collection.  Will  you  be  kind  enough  to  take  the  book  and  make 
such  disposition  of  it  as  you  may  think  proper  and  useful. 

I am  very  sorry  that  my  engagements  in  Court  at  Ipswich  will  necessarily 
prevent  my  accepting  your  very  kind  and  flattering  invitation  to  be  present  at  the 
meeting  ol  the  friends  and  benefactors  of  Amherst  College,  on  the  28th  inst.  I 
find  that  time  and  age  increase  and  strengthen  my  interest  in  the  prosperity  of 
Amherst, — and  I am  sure  it  would  afford  me  great  pleasure  to  join  in  congratu- 
lations upon  her  success.  But  that  I must  forego  at  this  time. 

Ever  faithful  and  sincerely, 

Yours,  &c. 

J.  C.  PeRkins. 

Here  is  another  similar  offering  from  Miss  Sarah  S.  Mugford^ 
of  the  same  city,  rendered  doubly  valuable  from  the  fact,  that  the  se- 
verest bodily  sufferings  of  years  have  not  extinguished  in  her  the  love 
of  nature. 

It  seems  then,  that  the  Sea  Nymphs  would  probably  never  have 
thought  of  us,  had  they  not  been  moved  by  the  Land  Nymphs.  I 
know,  then,  that  you  will  join  me  in  wishing  health  and  happiness  to 
the  Land  Nymphs  of  Salem  ; nor  would  I withhold  the  wish  from  any 
of  this  family  in  Massachusetts. 

Another  gentleman  was  thus  called  upon  : 

I see  near  me  a gentleman  who  twenty-five  years  ago,  and  only  two 
years  after  the  College  was  regularly  commenced  was  a Tutor  in  it,  and 
subsequently  for  ten  years  a Professor.  We  shall  claim  a little  credit 
for  the  extensive  good  he  has  accomplished  since  that  time,  in  another 


41 


sphere,  on  the  ground  that  his  eleven  years  successful  instruction 
here,  in  that  microcosm,  a college,  more  fully  prepared  him  to  act 
successfully  in  the  larger  'world  on  -which  he  has  been  operating. 
Gentlemen,  it  is  hardly  necessary  for  me  to  say,  that  I refer  to  Dr. 
Worcester,  of  Salem. 

To  this  call  Dr.  Worcester  promptly  responded. 

Me.  Peesident  ; 

If  I were  to  express  myself  in  military  phrase,  suc^  as  was  so  common  in  the 
days  of  Napoleon,  I should  say  of  myself,  that  I belonged  to  the  “ Old  Guard”  of 
Amherst  College. — It  is  now  twenty-five  years,  next  October,  since  I came  rock- 
ing over  the  hills  of  Pelham  to  this  place.  It  was  literally  so ; for  the  vehicle  in 
which  I rode,  was  as  much  like  a bread-tray  as  anything  else.  This  used  to  come 
into  the  town  with  the  mail,  once  a week, — returning  also  the  next  day  from  North- 
ampton ; and  stirred  up  all  the  people,  both  of  the  East  street  and  the  West. 

I arrived  here  one  week  before  our  reverend  friend,  the  late  president  of  the  Col- 
lege, whom  I regret  not  to  see  present  with  us,  on  this  delightful  occasion.  I had 
received  my  appointment,  I might  say,  from  the  gentleman,  who  has  since  been  so 
well  known  as  the  Editor  of  the  “ National  Preacher.”  He  had  come  to  Andover, 
as  a plenipotentiary  ambassador  from  the  higher  powers,  to  secure  some  one  to  fill 
the  office  of  junior  Tutor  in  the  “ Amherst  Collegiate  Institution.”  I was  then  an 
assistant  in  Phillips  Academy,  having  left  my  class  in  the  Theological  Seminary, 
about  two  weeks  previous.  I had  known  but  little  of  the  Institution,  but  accept- 
ed the  appointment,  as  a choice  of  evils,  one  year.  And  if  I had  known  a small 
part  only  of  what  I soon  ascertained  to  be  the  state  of  things,  it  is  not  at  all  pro- 
able,  that  I could  have  been  persuaded  to  leave  my  situation  in  the  Academy. 

On  my  arrival,  I was  met  by  one  of  the  friends  of  the  Institution,  who  accom- 
panied me  to  my  room  in  the  “ South  College.”  Very  different  was  the  whole  ap- 
pearance of  things  from  what  is  now  seen,  upon  yonder  hill,  and  all  around  us.  I 
was  soon  conducted  to  the  upper  story  of  what  is  now  the  “ Middle  College,”  and 
to  the  room  which  was  then  used  for  the  “ Chapel.”  Adjoining  this  were  the 
rooms  for  the  library  and  the  apparatus,  philosophical  and  chemical.  While  in- 
specting the  books,  I was  informed  of  the  encouraging  remark  of  a gentleman , 
who  had  said,  that  they  were  “ sufficient  for  the  beginning  of  a library  of  fifty  thous- 
and volumes!'  But  a wheel-barrow,  a few  times  loaded,  could  easily  have  borne 
them  all  away;  and  if  a considerable  part  had  thus  been  disposed  of,  it  might  have 
been  as  well,  so  far  as  any  actual  benefit  was  derived  from  them.  Of  the  “ap- 
paratus” I can  hardly  trust  myself  to  speak.  There  was,  I believe,  an  electrical 
machine,  which  possibly  might  have  raised  a spark,  and  an  air-pump. 

********** 

Among  the  students  in  the  different  classes,  numbering  in  all  about  125,  there 
was  a good  degree  of  talent,  and  enterprise.  The  Senior  Class  consisting  of  nine- 
teen members,  it  is  no  diparagement  to  then'  successors  to  say,  has  never  been  ex- 
ceeded, in  ability  and  real  worth.  Erom  one  of  the  distinguished  Professors,  (Dr.  Ed- 
wards,) which  that  class  has  given  to  our  New  England,  you  have  heard  in  a letter 
which  has  just  been  read,  and  the  speech  of  another  we  have  had  the  pleasure  of 
receiving  from  the  gentleman  on  my  right.  (Prof  Shepard.) 

6 


42 


The  opposition  to  tlie  College,  at  the  time  when  I became  connected  with  it,  was 
very  great,  in  all  this  region.  Good,  men,  honestly  no  doubt,  were  divided  in 
opinion,  in  regard  to  tire  expediency  of  its  establishment,  and  the  course  which  was 
pursued.  There  was  much  misunderstanding  and  misrepresentation.  No  charter 
had  been  obtained  from  the  Legislature.  Some  of  the  most  eminent  ministers  as 
I well  remember  to  have  noticed,  when  they  preached  in  the  pulpit  of  the  village, 
could  pray  for  the  young  men,  who  were  assembled  here  for  education ; but  they 
could  not  pray  for  the  Institution,  and  much  as  ever  did  they  pray  for  the  officers. 
********** 

Such  were  the  trials  of  the*President,  in  that  first  v'ear  of  his  experience,  that 
at  one  time  he  narrowly  escaped,  as  many  thought,  a fatal  prostration.  If  he  had 
not  left  his  duties  and  cares  for  a season,  he  would  have  found  as  early  a grave,  as 
did  his  estimable  predecessor,  in  the  summer  previous.  Were  it  suitable,  I 
could  speak  out  upon  this  subject,  and  make  knotvn  what  has  been  but  little  under- 
stood or  appreciated,  of  his  difficulties  and  perplexities,  as  the  head  of  the  Institu- 
tion, in  its  early  days. 

In  the  Spring  of  1824,  a committee  was  appointed  by  the  Legislature,  to  come  to 
Amherst,  and  investigate  all  matters  affecting  the  Institution,  and  report  the  ensuing 
winter.  There  was  no  dread  of  a candid  and  impartial  scnitiny.  But  from  divers 
causes  and  occasions,  the  prospect  w^as  gloomy  indeed.  Many  of  the  best  students 
had  become  uneasy  and  discontented.  Some  were  dissatisfied  with  the  means  of 
instruction ; others  feared  that  they  never  should  be  able  to  obtain  a diploma,  like 
graduates  at  Incorporated  Colleges.  In  the  Summer  Term,  when  I was  expecting 
to  leave  my  humble  station,  I was  informed  in  a confidential  interview,  that  a large 
portion  of  the  class,  which  was  then  becoming  Junior, — had  determined  to  take  a 
dismission,  unless  they  could  have  better  instruction  in  the  languages,  and  some 
lectures  upon  ancient  literature.  Members  of  the  Freshman  Class  also,  which  had 
been  particularly  under  my  care,  expressed  a similar  purpose, — provided  they 
could  not  be  assured  of  my  remaining  with  them. — I regret  to  be  obliged  to  speak 
so  much  in  the  way  of  personal  allusion  ; but  it  is  impossible,  that  I should  other- 
wise state  the  facts,  which  ought  to  be  known,  in  respect  to  this  dark  period  of  the 
history  of  the  College. 

From  my  personal  esteem  for  Dr.  Humphre)',  I may  say,  Mr.  President,  more 
than  from  any  other  consideration,  I yielded  at  last  to  an  application  to  remain. 
There  was  one  condition,  however,  whieh  it  was  somewhat  venturesome  in  a 
young  officer  to  prescribe.  It  was,  that  there  should  be  a new  Professor.  The 
condition  was  acceded  to,  and  to  my  great  surprise,  I was  solicited  to  take  the 
office,  which  was  to  be  made  vacant.  Of  this,  you  may  be  assured,  I should  not 
have  spoken,  but  for  its  connexion  with  the  best  service,  which  it  was  my  privi- 
lege to  render  to  Amherst  College.  Listcad  of  accepting  the  office  proposed  to  me, 
I at  once  nominated  my  friend  and  brother,  and  your  friend  and  brother,  5Ir.  Pres- 
ident, the  L.VMENXED  Pkofessok  Fiske.  I went  myself  to  persuade  him  to 
join  us.  He  had  just  returned  from  a missionary  service,  at  the  South.  You 
need  not,  that  I should  tell  you  what  has  since  followed,  from  his  connexion  with 
the  College. 

We  commenced  the  college-year  1824 — 5,  with  two  new  officers,  and  were  five 
in  all.  The  Senior  Professor  attempted  but  little  labor,  and  was  absent  much  of 
the  time,  until  the  Institution  was  incorporated,  when  he  tendered  his  resignation. 
The  rest  of  us  had  to  work  hard,  but  we  were  of  one  heart  and  soul.  And  I ques- 


43 


tion  whether,  in  any  subsequent  year,  the  internal  state  of  the  Institution  was 
more  pleasant  and  animating. 

When  the  “ long  agony”  was  over,  and  the  intelligence  of  the  Act  of  Incorpor- 
ation, as  fully  signed  and  sealed,  had  arrived,  there  was,  as  you  may  well  suppose, 
not  a little  of  exhilaration.  At  evening  prayers,  the  president  read  a portion  of 
Seriptm-e,  which  you  will  find  in  the  4tli  Chapter  of  Nehemiah.  I do  not  think 
I shall  soon  forget  how  he  read  the  words : “ But  it  came  to  p>ass  that  when  San- 
ballat  heard  that  we  builded  the  wall,  he  was  wroth,  and  took  great  indignation, 
and  mocked  the  Jews.  And  he  spake  before  his  brethren,  and  the  army  of  Sa- 
maria, and  said,  what  do  these  feeble  Jews'?  will  they  fortify  themselves'?  will 
they  sacrifice  1 will  they  make  an  end  in  a day  ? will  they  revive  the  stones  out  of 
the  heaps  of  the  rubbish  which  are  burned  1 Now  Tobiah  the  Ammonite  was  by 
him,  and  he  said.  Even  that  which  they  build,  if  a fox  go  up,  he  shall  even  break 
down  their  stone  wall,  &c.”  The  emphasis  upon  “ Sanballat,”  and  '•  Tobiah,'''  and 
“ the  Arabians,"  and  the  "fox  going  up,"  you  may  be  certain  had  its  effect ; as  did 
the  other  parts  of  the  Chapter,  upon  which  there  was  no  commentary  but  in  the 
tones  of  the  reading,  and  no  practical  observations  but  in  the  answering  emotions 
of  all  present. 

When  the  new  Faculty  was  appointed,  under  the  Charter,  your  own  honored 
name,  Mr.  President,  was  among  them.  And  I doubt  not,  you  will  bear  me  wit- 
ness, that  after  the  college  was  regularly  organized,  those  young  officers  entered 
upon  their  work,  in  their  respective  departments,  with  much  industry  and  energy. 
They  were  quite  different  from  one  another,  each  having  his  own  peculiarities ; yet 
were  they  truly  a band  of  brothers,  who  harmonized  as  one,  in  the  emulous  exer- 
tion to  make  the  college  worthy  of  public  confidence  and  a liberal  patronage. 
But  I must  not  enlarge.  I could  now  speak  for  hours  of  the  events  and  scenes  in 
the  ten  years  subsequent  to  the  Act  of  Incorporation. 

More  recently,  the  College  has  had  the  sad  reverses,  which  we  all  have  felt  most 
deeply.  But  in  the  darkest  days  of  decline  and  depression,  there  has  been  that 
same  faith  in  God,  for  which  its  founders  and  early  friends  were  so  remarkable. 
And  what  are  we  now  permitted  to  behold'?  We  behold,  Mr. President,  what  the 
most  confident,  the  most  sanguine  of  all,  who  have  prayed  for  the  prosperity  and 
perpetuity  of  this  College,  could  never  have  expected  with  their  own  eyes  to  witness. 

And  Sir,  of  those  living,  w’ho  are  absent,  or  of  those  dead,  who  have  gone  to 
their  reward  on  high,  who  would  more  rejoice  to  be  with  us,  at  this  tlnilling  festi- 
val, than  our  departed  brother,  whose  memory  is  so  dear  ? When  in  days  gone 
by,  we  were  so  happily  associated  together,  how  little  was  it  thought  by  you  or 
me,  and  how  little  could  it  have  been  expected  by  himself,  that  he  would  ever 
send  you  those  stones  from  “ the  goodly  Lebanon,”*  which  Moses  saw  from  the 
summits  of  Pisgah.;  and,  that  at  last  he  would  find  his  sepulchre  with  king  David, 
on  Mount  Zion ! 

I wept  when  I heard  of  his  death  : for  I loved  him  as  an  own  brother.  I wept, 
as  I said  to  myself,  how  delighted  he  would  have  been  to  hear  of  the  divine  inter- 
position, so  signally  manifested  in  behalf  of  the  College ! But  I did  not  say, 
“Alas!  my  brother.”  I said,  “/ yfue  you  yoy,  my  brother.  It  is  all  well  with  thee.” 

He  has  gone,  we  cannot  doubt,  to  that  glorious  city,  which  “hath  the  founda- 
tions of  the  waU  garnished  with  all  manner  of  precious  stones.”  He  is  an  inhab- 

*More  than  200  specimens  in  the  Cabinet  were  sent  by  Prof.  Fiske  from  Syria 
and  Palestine. 


44 


italit  where  it  is  never  said,  “ I go  the  way  of  all  the  earth  /”  Be  it  our  aim  to  be 
faithful  as  was  he,  that  we  may  have  our  part  in  the  same  blessedness  ! We 
are  yet  in  the  world  of  action,  where  our  appropriate  duty  is  woek,  for  the  high- 
est good  of  man,  and  the  glory  of  HIM  to  whom  all  glory  belongs  : and  where 
none  but  God,  angels  that  never  sinned,  and  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect,  “ are 
entitled  to  be  spectatohs. 

I conclude,  Mr.  President,  as  others  have  before  me.  I give  you  as  a sentiment 
for  the  occasion;  The  Pounders  of  Amherst  College, — worthy  sons  op 
The  immortal  fathers  of  New  England  ! 

The  following  remarks  were  intended  to  bring  before  the  company, 
a gentleman  present,  who  is  distinguished  in  science : But  the  public 
conveyance  summoned  him  away  before  he  could  reply. 

The  Government  of  the  United  States  within  a few  years  have  car- 
ried through  two  great  enterprises  : the  Explormg  Expedition  to  the 
South  Seas  and  a War  with  Mexico.  The  first  cost  perhaps  three 
or  four  millions  of  dollars, — and  the  last  one  hundred  and  fifty.  The 
results  of  both  are  now  in  a great  measure  before  the  world,  and  to 
which  will  impartial  Christian  men  now  and  hereafter  attach  the 
most  honor?  We  have  present  a gentleman  who  shared  in  the  toils 
and  dangers  of  the  Exploring  Expedition,  and  whose  splendid  vol- 
umes of  Reports  are  among  the  noblest  results  of  that  enterprise.  I 
do  not  expect,  howmver,  that  my  friend  James  D.  Daxa,  Esq., 
whom  I am  happy  to  introduce  to  this  assembly,  will  on  account  of 
his  battles  and  victories  in  the  South  Seas,  be  brought  before  the 
people  as  a candidate  for  the  Presidency  or  any  other  high  political 
office.  But  I am  sure  he  deserves  and  will  receive  some  of  the  high- 
est honoi’s  which  the  Republic  of  Letters  can  bestow. 

Besides  the  gentlemen  from  other  Colleges  of  New  England,  whose 
names  have  been  already  mentioned,  others  -were  present  who  were 
alluded  to  as  follows  : 

We  are  honored  by  the  presence  of  gentlemen  connected  with  other 
New  England  Colleges,  from  whom  we  have  not  yet  heard.  Those 
Institutions  are  the  Watch  Towers,  of  this  part  of  the  Republic  of 
Letters.  Our  cause,  therefore,  is  a common  one,  and  whatever 
strengthens  one  strengthens  the  whole,  and  whatever  weakens  one 
weakens  the  whole.  We  can  therefore  rejoice  with  one  another  in 
prosperity  and  sympathize  in  adversity.  The  gentlemen  present,  to 
whom  I refer,  hold  commissions  in  fortresses  that  have  long  been 
distinguished  in  the  great  warfare  that  is  going  on  against  ignorance 
and  despotism,  vice  and  irreligion, — and  they  I doubt  not  will  be  glad 
to  see  any  evidence  that  the  most  recent  of  these  towers  is  filling  up 
its  magazines  and  burnishing  its  armor,  after  the  example  of  those  of 


45 


earlier  date.  But  I hope  that  these  gentlemen  will  let  us  hear  from 
themselves,  something  on  this  great  subject  of  education.  Allow  me 
to  introduce  President  Wheeler  of  Vermont  University,  and  Pro- 
fessor Lasell  of  Williams  College. 

The  public  conveyance  took  away  Professor  Lasell  before  he  had 
time  to  respond  to  the  call.  Dr.  Wheeler  however  favored  the  com- 
pany with  some  very  interesting  views  on  the  subject  of  education. 
But  the  great  pressure  of  public  duties  has  prevented  him  from  giving 
his  address  upon  paper  in  season  for  this  publication. 

Professor  Hubbard  of  Dartmouth  College  had  hoped  to  be 
present,  but  having  been  jirevented,  the  following  extract  from  his  let- 
ter will  be  interesting  to  the  friends  of  science. 

“ It  may  be  relevant  on  this  occasion  of  your  celebration  to  men- 
tion, that  our  College  has  recently  imported  a telescope  and  other  in- 
struments, from  Munich, — made  to  order, — sufficient  for  furnishing  an 
Observatory.  I trust  that  at  no  distant  period,  Amherst  and  Dart- 
mouth may  be  in  direct  communication  with  each  other  and  Yale ; 
thus  constituting  a line  of  points  of  advantageous  observations,  hard- 
ly equalled.” 

Professor  Adams  (and  we  might  make  a similar  remark  in  respect 
to  some  other  gentlemen, J had  no  opportunity  to  reply  to  the  allusions 
to  him  and  his  Cabinet  by  Dr.  Silliman.  He  was  therefore  request- 
ed to  furnish  for  this  pamphlet  any  remarks  which  he  might  then  have 
desired  to  make.  Pie  has  accordingly  sent  in  the  following : 

The  efforts  of  naturalists  to  exhibit  the  true  order  of  Nature,  can  never  fail  to 
gratify  a correct  and  refined  taste.  Such  order  is  of  far  liigher  origin  than  mere 
human  invention,  and  is  so  perfect  as  to  harmonize  no  less  with  our  emotions  of 
beauty  than  with  our  ideas  of  fitness  and  method.  It  is  indeed  one  of  the  most 
delightful  features  of  science,  that  the  farther  she  advances  in  a correct  knowledge  of 
nature,  the  more  symmetrically  and  harmoniously  are  all  the  powers  of  the  intellect 
and  the  emotions  of  beauty  and  virtue  gratified  and  invigorated.  Nor  can  the  les- 
son of  humility  he  lost  on  the  lover  of  science,  since  his  highest  efforts  consist 
only  in  the  discovery  and  exhibiton  of  a beauty  and  perfection,  which  not  only 
does  not  originate  in  him,  but  which  extends  far  beyond  the  most  distant  flights  of 
his  imagination.  A feeble  beginning  has  been  made  here  in  the  exhibition  of  the 
Divine  plan  of  nature.  That  it  should  meet  with  the  approbation  of  one,  whose 
life  has  been  a long  series  of  eminent  services  rendered  to  science,  is  truly  grati- 
fying. We  are  encouraged  to  hope  that  what  has  been  done  is  in  harmony  with 
the  highest  truths,  when  it  is  regarded  with  satisfaction  by  one  who  has  been  ac- 
customed in  the  diffusion  of  science,  ably  and  happily  to  illustrate  the  infinite 
glories  of  the  great  Author  of  Nature. 


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